Art

Kimberley Walker

vince.yallop@archant.co.uk — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 13:28:36 GMT

Amanda McGrory

vince.yallop@archant.co.uk — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 13:28:14 GMT

Tim Hall

vince.yallop@archant.co.uk — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 13:27:58 GMT

Sandra Haywood

vince.yallop@archant.co.uk — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 13:10:19 GMT

Sandra Haywood of Happisburgh trained at Southend College of Art in Essex and at Central School of Art, London. She has been painting prolifically since her early teens. She works across a range of media, using many techniques, with her work often pointedly titled. “But like many artists,” she says. “I don’t like to talk about my work; my painting is spontaneous and expresses what it does, as it does. To my eye, some things are right and some things are not.” Early influences included Paul Klee and cartoonist Gerald Scarfe and, in her art student days, Sandra was a protégé of the celebrated Polish painter Franciszka Themerson. “Although we were over forty years apart in age and came from vastly different cultures, we grew to be close friends until Franciszka died in 1988,” Sandra said. Inspired by her family, the Norfolk countryside, and trips to the Dordogne, Catalonia and Marrakech, Sandra says her talent has been honed through formal training but, more significantly, through intense application and having an open mind to every new influence and inspiration. She is enormously prolific, producing up to a thousand paintings and drawings a year. “Ninety-five per cent of these may never be seen outside my studio – or even my waste basket!” she said. Sandra’s work has been exhibited at Norfolk venues including the Castle Museum and the University of East Anglia at Norwich, and further afield at Islington Arts, London, Ipswich Arts Centre, and the Lady Lodge Centre, Peterborough. You can see more of Sandra Haywood’s work at www.londonart.co.uk and at www.sandrahaywood.co.uk or email sandrahaywood@issuesmanagers.com

David Morris

vince.yallop@archant.co.uk — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 13:09:54 GMT

Gathering Storm, a view of Cromer pier by photo artist David Morris, was taken one evening last autumn. "I noticed the sky changing and, as it happened really quickly, I had to run down the cliff path to capture it," David explained. After realising that he would not be able to gain enough height by standing on the promenade railings, David had to adopt an unusual technique to get the image he wanted. "The pier is a much-photographed thing and by climbing on top of a council bin, I think I managed to get a new angle on it," he said. Born in East Yorkshire, David studied graphic design and photography at Hull College of Art. After working in London as an art director, he went on to teach graphic design and advertising for 10 years. In 2003, he and his wife Jackie decided to up sticks and move to Cromer, where the landscape, and the people, provide constant inspiration. “I always liked reportage photography, but I’m also drawn to the sea and I love the architecture here,” David said. David, whose 2002 calendar for Cotswolds-based brewery Hook Norton was nominated for a Silver Pencil award by the Designers and Art Directors Association, now combines working as a visiting lecturer with a career as a photo artist. He took part in the Norfolk Open Studios scheme for the first time this year, and his work has been exhibited in Norfolk, in the Cotswolds, and in Amsterdam. David's commercial and fine art photography includes landscapes of Gloucestershire, Norfolk seascapes, and portraits of artists and artisans, including sheep shearers, silversmiths, carpenters and blacksmiths. He has also produced architectural photography and cityscape studies of Milan, Amsterdam and Spain, and is currently working on a protracted series of portraits of bar life in Milan, Amsterdam and Spain, with an exhibition planned once the project is finished. Although he trained in "wet darkroom" printing and is a committed photographer of black and white landscapes, still life and people, David finds the world of digital image-making has opened up enormous possibilities. "I'm keen to find ways of combining the two disciplines, possibly through contact printing techniques," he says. You can see more of David Morris's work at the garden house gallery, Garden Street, Cromer; Bircham Contemporary Arts, Holt; The Galley, Lower Street, Horning; Big Blue Sky at Wells or by visiting www.davidmorrisphotographer.com or www.gardenhousegallery.com

David Parmenter

vince.yallop@archant.co.uk — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 13:08:56 GMT

After leaving school, Essex-born railway enthusiast David Parmenter joined Ford Motor Company at Dagenham, where he trained as a draughtsman. He retired after 41 years as a product designer on the Transit power train engine and exhaust systems, and moved to Sheringham with his wife Christine, also an artist, in 2001. "We had been coming to Norfolk on holiday for 30 years and, we decided that, when we retired we wanted to live at Sheringham," David explained. “We both love the sea and, of course, the steam railway was an added attraction." As an engineer, David, 65, has for many years been interested in all things mechanical and, in the 1980s, he spent a week travelling all over the UK by train, with his 4,000-mile journey taking him to places as far afield as Cornwall, Wales and Wick in Scotland. As a member of a local art group in Romford, he found himself drawn to painting boats and trains. "I just love the shape of trains and, being a draftsman, I like to draw them and get the scale and the perspective right," he said. "I don't aim for technical perfection in my paintings, but I hope they convey my feelings for the subject." David, who is a member of Sheringham art group Waterline, has, for a number of years, been a volunteer at the North Norfolk Railway, where he works with local youngsters at living history events. "You may also see me disguised as a station master with Morgan the railway cat!" he said. Other interests include Sheringham Little Theatre, where David works backstage, and visiting art galleries. He is also a certified watchkeeper with Sheringham Coastwatch. To see more of David Parmenter’s work, email dave@shannocks91.fsnet.co.uk, or phone 01263 825615.

Christine Parmenter

vince.yallop@archant.co.uk — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 13:08:20 GMT

After leaving school, Essex-born Christine Parmenter had various jobs including veterinary nurse, dental assistant, and selling advertising space for a publishing company. But it wasn't until she and her husband David, a retired draughtsman, joined their local art club 20 years ago that she discovered she had a talent for painting. While railway enthusiast David began sketching and painting trains, Christine focused on landscapes, and when the couple moved to Sheringham in 2001, they joined local arts group Waterline and began exhibiting their work. "I wanted to concentrate on developing my own style," Christine said. "But I have to love a subject to be able to paint it. I'm very drawn to the coast, I love wild places and particularly lonely houses, but I also love quiet interiors." "What I try to do is to really capture an atmosphere of a place and if my paintings create an emotional response in someone, then that's great." Christine, whose other passion is writing for children, has taken part in the Norfolk Open Studios scheme a number of times, with two of her paintings chosen to hang at Norwich Castle Gallery as part of an exhibition held last year to celebrate the bicentenary of the Norwich Society of Artists. "This was a huge honour for me and a big surprise and, subsequently, my painting Walking Home Weybourne was chosen to appear in the East Anglian Arts Fund Jarrolds calendar, which was wonderful," Christine said. As well as producing paintings for the new Norfolk art website www.apictureofnorfolk.com, Christine is currently busy looking for a publisher for her latest book, Wally the Worm, which was produced as a play at Sheringham Little Theatre. Christine has also written a story for the North Norfolk Railway, where she and David are volunteers, and, earlier this year, the couple staged a joint exhibition at the North Norfolk District Council offices at Cromer. To see more of Christine Parmenter’s work, phone 01263 825615 or email dave@shannocks91.fsnet.co.uk

Andrew Tatham

vince.yallop@archant.co.uk — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 13:07:38 GMT

Fuldmodeston artist Andrew Tatham gained degrees in chemistry and computer science before working in jobs ranging from hop chemist for the brewing industry to IT lecturer at a nursing college. Andrew, who grew up in Dorking, Surrey, then decided to move to North Norfolk and embark on a career as a full-time artist. "I think I have always been interested in art, but some people seem to think you have to either be one or the other - artist or scientist," he said. "Personally, I think everyone is somewhere in between, and I my science background has helped when I have had ideas I have wanted to explore." After taking up painting in the 1980s, Andrew branched out into wire and papier mache sculpture and welding. He also writes poetry, has designed an album cover for a local musician, and even appeared on five episodes of the popular Channel 4 quiz show Countdown. For the past 12 years, he has been working on a project to trace the families of his great-grandfather's fellow First World War officers featured in a photograph of the 8th Royal Berkshire Regiment. He has now managed to find the relatives and build the family trees of all 46 men in the picture, also producing a film of his work. More recently, Andrew has concentrated on producing art and exhibiting his work. One of his pictures was among the 84 works selected from the 681 entries to the prestigious Eastern Open Exhibition, held at King's Lynn Arts Centre earlier this year. He has also taken part in the Norfolk Open Studios scheme, as well as exhibiting as a number of local venues. "I am at my happiest when I have created something that is more than the sum of its parts, that has a presence or atmosphere outside of two dimensions," he says. You can see more of Andrew Tatham's work at the Stable Gallery, Kelling, phone 01263 710610, at his website www.andrewtatham.co.uk, and at flickr.com/photos/bananarublev His First World War project can be seen at www.groupphoto.co.uk

Simon Pocklington

vince.yallop@archant.co.uk — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 13:06:40 GMT

Sunday Morning by photographer Simon Pocklington. After leaving Wymondham College, Simon completed a 3-year photography diploma at the West Surrey College of Art and Design before taking a variety of jobs, one of which saw him photographing the M25 motorway when it was under construction in the 1980s. But it was Simon's burgeoning talent as a portrait photographer that shaped his future career and, after being named runner-up in the Sunday Times photographer of the year awards - and winning Photography Magazine's cover girl competition with one of his pictures - he opened his own portrait studio in Hampshire in partnership with a commercial photographer. Simon went on to become one of the leading exponents of boudoir photography, but when the commercial market shrank in the late 1980s, he decided to close his studio and return to Norfolk. After a stint as an insurance salesman, he was encouraged by his wife Lee to pick up his camera again and, in 1997, Simon opened a studio at Reepham. His work has since been featured in magazines including Country Life and Penthouse and, for the past 3 years, he has produced pictures for the prestigious Easco calendar, and for UK and American publishers of erotic fiction. As well as running a successful portrait photography business, Simon also takes pictures of local landscapes. But while subjects range from Morston quay to Blakeney and Weybourne, he steers clear of the usual "pretty" beach scene. "I try to look at landscapes in a different way," he says. "It is usually just part of a scene that inspires me rather than the whole vista and I will often take close ups of the water or bits of buildings." Simon prefers to work in black and white, as he feels it encourages one to focus on a subject's shape, form and texture. "I think that when you look at something, your eye is actually picking out elements of it and that is what I try to do in my photography," he says. Beauty Explored, an exhibition of monochrome photography by Simon Pocklington, is at the Stable Gallery, Kelling until November 30. With an eclectic mix of images, the show aims to contrast the tranquil beauty of the Norfolk landscape with a series of creatively and imaginatively lit nudes. For more information, phone 01263 710610 or visit www.stable-gallery.co.uk. Simon Pocklington can be contacted on 01603 879204 or email simon@viewfinders.org.uk

Kate Barclay

vince.yallop@archant.co.uk — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 13:04:24 GMT

After leaving school, New Zealand-born Kate Barclay won a scholarship to study costume design in theatre. She then spent a year travelling before taking a job with a London-based TV company, where she worked as a costume designer on dramas and television movies. In 1986, Kate moved to Norfolk when she joined Aylsham knitwear company Black Sheep. But it wasn't until two years ago that she became hooked on photography, after buying a small digital camera to take pictures of knitwear for a catalogue. "It just snowballed from there," she explained. "I started taking pictures down on the beach and I just realised this was something that I was really interested in and wanted to take further." Kate began taking photographs of the North Norfolk landscape and her pictures soon became popular. Last year, two of her images were awarded highly commended in the Panasonic batteries amateur photographer of the year competition, and she was runner-up in the BBC Countryfile calendar competition - which regularly attracts up to 11,000 entries. In April of last year, Kate, who says she is inspired by the Norfolk coast and skies, staged her first exhibition at the Stable Gallery, Kelling. She has since taken part in the Norfolk Open Studios scheme and her pictures have been featured in a number of photography magazines. The highlight of Kate's year has been to have a portfolio of her work published in photography book by former Practical Photography editor Peter Bargh. Kate, who lives at Blickling, has been delighted with the positive response her work has received. "I just find it amazing that it has taken off as much as it has as I feel there is still so much I have to learn," she said. "But one thing I have found is that you need patience when waiting for that one fleeting moment. The buzz I get when I think I have got it right is just fantastic." Future plans include producing a coffee table-style book of poetry illustrated with photographs. Kate is also working on a series of black and white images, and producing images for a new photographic magazine. More of Kate Barclay's work can be seen at the Stable Gallery, Kelling; Jet Print, Red Lion Street, Aylsham; Black Sheep, Penfold Street, Aylsham, phone 01263 733142 and online at www.katebarclay.co.uk

Sally Ellis

vince.yallop@archant.co.uk — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 13:03:40 GMT

After spending many years working as a customer service adviser for a high street bank, Norfolk-born artist Sally Ellis took up painting after joining a local art group when she and her husband Richard retired to Stalham eight years ago. Sally, who says she never paints seriously - only for enjoyment, works from a garden studio at her 400-year-old thatched cottage. Her paintings feature subjects ranging from landscapes and seascapes to dog portraits in miniature. "I like to paint in great detail so that often leads me to wildlife painting but, basically, I paint what I want to paint," she said. "Because I live on the Broads, I am inspired by things I see when I'm out cycling or walking. Sally's work has been exhibited at the annual Royal Society of Miniaturists exhibition in London and at a number of Norfolk venues including the Forum, Norwich. She also regularly takes part in the Open Studios scheme. To see more of Sally Ellis’s work, visit www.apictureofnorfolk.com, or phone 01692 582592.

Hilary Tottman

vince.yallop@archant.co.uk — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 13:02:50 GMT

After leaving university, silk painter Hilary Tottman, who is originally from Worcestershire, worked as a human resources professional. A love of art developed 25 years ago when, while taking a career break after the birth of her daughter, Hilary spent time working as an assistant to a textile artist in the Cotswolds. She returned to full-time work, but promised herself that, when she retired, she would be go back to painting. "That's exactly what I did," Hilary said. "I retired in 2004 and went out and bought some silk and some paint and had a go. I read a lot on the subject, joined the Guild of Silk Painters and, from there, it was just practice." Drawn to painting on silk because of its versatile and tactile nature, Hilary began creating pictures, corsages, scarves and decorated hats. "The nice think about it is that you can actually make something from the painted silk, so I can embroider onto it or use beading," she said. Hilary's paintings feature Norfolk landscapes, with flowers also a recurring theme. "I suppose that is because I'm a keen gardener," she explained. After selling her work at craft fairs, Hilary, who works from a studio in her West Runton garden, was delighted to be offered an exhibition at Holt gallery Studio 7. From there, she went on to exhibit at Wolterton Hall textile fair, at Blicking Hall Christmas fair, and at Appleyard Gallery, Holt. She has also taken part in the Open Studios scheme for the past 2 years. More of Hilary Tottman’s work can be seen at The Last Picture Show, Cromer Road, Holt, phone 01263 711717.

Colin Bygrave

vince.yallop@archant.co.uk — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 12:58:58 GMT

Our week 39 competition prize was a limited edition print by Briston-based Colin Bygrave. Featuring the Seven Sisters cliffs, near Brighton, the picture, which was based on a photograph taken while the artist was on holiday, was made by etching a design into a metal plate with acid. Originally from Essex, Colin trained as a painter at Reading University. After doing National Service, he taught art at a Somerset grammar school before being given a lectureship at Nottingham College of Education. Colin then took the job of principal lecturer in art at Loughborough College of Education and, after further spell teaching in schools, he went on to become head of faculty at a Leicester college. After he and his wife Renee moved to Briston, Colin, who two years ago was awarded the Leicester Society of Artists' society prize, taught at Norwich School for Girls until he retired in 1996. Working from his garden studio, he then began producing prints using a half-ton etching press. He first exhibited professionally 7 years ago, and his etchings have since been shown at galleries all over East Anglia, and further afield at Nottingham, York, Leicester, Cambridge, and Bruges, Belgium. Although he feels at home in the north Norfolk landscape and is fascinated by the area's contrasting light and atmosphere, Colin is content to draw whether he is in France, Italy, or Blakeney. "I do like rural landscapes more than townscapes, but I think I respond to particular place and somehow the atmosphere of that place gets into my work," he says. While subjects range from country hedgerows to city cathedrals, Colin is particularly drawn to landscapes, with his work often featuring meandering roads. "It was recently pointed out to me that a lot of my etchings are to do with paths, tracks and roads," he explained. "Whether they wander along and go round bends leaving a sense of mystery, or go straight across the landscape, roads invite you into a picture and make you wonder." Colin regularly takes part in the Norfolk Open Studios scheme and the Norwich Print Fair, and last year staged a highly successful retrospective exhibition at Salthouse Church. His work is also on show at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. More of Colin Bygrave's work can be seen at the Grapevine Gallery, Norwich; Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital; Stockers Gallery, Wells; Holkham Gallery; Bircham Contemporary Arts, Holt; Affinity Arts at Alby Crafts, and at his website www.studiobriston.fsnet.co.uk Colin also runs adult art class at Letheringsett. For more information, phone 01263 860473.

Jim Aitchison

vince.yallop@archant.co.uk — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 12:57:18 GMT

Cartoonist and illustrator Jim Aitchison, who last year ran a successful cartoon workshop at Sheringham Little Theatre as part of the National Big Draw event, realised a childhood dream 14 years ago when, after 20-year career as a civil servant, he trained as an artist at the age of 49. "I always drew as a child, but I suppose because of the era I grew up in, I had to get a "proper" job after leaving school," he explained. Jim, who at one time also ran his own property maintenance business, went on to gain degrees in interior architecture and architecture and critical theory, before staging his first exhibition at Kings Lynn. "After art school, I began painting, but there was this voice inside me saying "this isn't your thing," he said. "But after drawing some un-Christmassy Christmas cards for an arts project, I thought "Bah Humbug", put the brushes away, and I've been drawing ever since." As well as illustrating stories for children and producing commissioned work including a poster for the Kings Lynn Maritime Trail and Nelson-themed tee shirts, Jim runs art workshops for adults and children. During a residency at Kings Lynn Arts Centre last year, he created a mural featuring local people alongside his own character Ord (short for ordinary man). He has also taken part in school and community art projects with adults and young people, and recently completed a scheme with an adult mental health group. You can see more of Jim's work at www.jimaarts.co.uk

Sheila Helen Dunsire

vince.yallop@archant.co.uk — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 12:56:45 GMT

Sheila Helen Dunsire, who has lived at Sheringham all her life, went to school at Sutherland House, Cromer. After a spell working in a local chemist, she became a pre-student nurse at Cromer Hospital, and went on to complete her training at Eastbourne, and at the Royal Masonic Hospital, London, where she trained as a midwife. Sheila then went into private nursing, also helping out her pharmacist husband John and bringing up her two children. Throughout her career as a nurse, Sheila harboured an ambition to become an artist, fitting in life drawing and textile classes when she could, and sketching and painting on family holidays. But it was not until she retired aged 65 that she had the opportunity to realise her dream, when she enrolled on a degree course at Norwich School of Art. Sheila graduated in 2004 at the age of 70, and her work has since been exhibited in group and solo shows all over the county. "At the time, I was the oldest person to graduate from Norwich and my husband told me I got the loudest applause of all the students," she said. "Graduating gave me the confidence to begin exhibiting seriously and the thing is that, now my children have grown up, painting can be my life." Sheila draws inspiration from the Norfolk skies, and from the sea. "I can hear the sea from my home and the beach is just two minutes walk away, the fusing of the sea and sky never fails to thrill me," she says. As well as producing strikingly atmospheric oil paintings of beach scenes dotted with tiny figures, Sheila also creates montages using found objects including driftwood, pebbles and shells. "I want to make my paintings feel real - what I see and feel is what I put down on canvas," she says. To see more of Sheila Helen Dunsire's work, visit her studio by appointment on 01263 821346.

Chloe Mandy

vince.yallop@archant.co.uk — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 12:55:13 GMT

South Africa-born Chloe Mandy moved to London as a child and, after studying fine art in New York, lived in Majorca, Spain, where she painted and exhibited widely. She returned to England eight years ago, after her husband, a builder, took on the job of renovating an Arts and Crafts house at High Kelling. Chloe's work has since been exhibited at London, Ipswich, Hertfordshire and Lincolnshire, and at north Norfolk venues including Salthouse Church, Big Blue Sky gallery at Wells, and the Stable Gallery, Kelling. Her inspiration, she says, comes from nature, and her surroundings. "The landscape in Norfolk has had a huge impact on my work and because I don't work from photographs, it is much more of a visual response. I'm responding to that particular day and that particular light and documenting what I see." "I paint in the landscape come rain or shine, winter or summer, and can sometimes walk for hours before I find something I want to paint." Subjects include Blakeney and Wells, with Chloe also producing still life paintings and commissioned portraits. "My paintings are a direct response to my absorption in the Norfolk landscape's unique flatness and light, which has attracted a long tradition of landscape painters," she says. You can see more of Chloe Mandy's work at Big Blue Sky, Wells and at the Stable Gallery, Kelling, or by visiting www.chloemandy.com

Bob Crook

vince.yallop@archant.co.uk — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 12:54:28 GMT

Originally from Banningham, Bob Crook moved to Aylsham as a youngster. After leaving school, he trained as an electrician, and realised his boyhood dream of working in nature conservation when he joined a National Trust scheme at Blickling Hall. "I always wanted to be a warden at school," Bob said. "And although I lost interest when punk rock came along during my teenage years, when I got the opportunity to go to Blickling it was a dream come true." Bob went on to work with the Nature Conservancy Council on the Suffolk coast before joining the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) as a volunteer warden on the Broads. He moved to Sheringham six years ago, and now works for English Nature as assistant site manager for national nature reserves in Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. Bob developed a love of sketching wildlife after watching an artist featured on the BBC children's show Animal Magic, and was later encouraged by his high school art teacher, Aylsham artist Jason Partner. "I remember Jason painting the backdrops for all our school plays, and he was a real inspiration to me," he said. He now spends most of his spare time painting, with subjects ranging from hedgehogs to kingfishers, and recent work featuring puffins spotted on a trip to the Farne Islands off the Northumberland coast. Bob, whose paintings have been exhibited at the North Norfolk District Council offices at Cromer, at Thorpe Market church, and at Pretty Corner tea rooms, Sheringham, enjoys painting local landscapes, and has also produced a number of pet portraits. "I think the desolation of the Norfolk landscape is quite inspiring, but my paintings always seem to end up with a bird in them. I could paint a picture of Sheringham high street and it would probably have a pigeon in it," he said. You can see more of Bob Crook's work at Pretty Corner tea rooms, Sheringham, or by visiting his home studio by appointment. Phone 01263 822852.

Kit Wade

vince.yallop@archant.co.uk — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 12:53:43 GMT

Born at Halifax, West Yorkshire, Gresham-based artist Kit Wade trained as an art teacher in the 1960s. After working at a number of secondary schools, she retrained to teach craft, design and technology, and went on to run the design faculty of a Leicestershire grammar school. Kit, who was bitten by the art bug at college, has always insisted on keeping one room of her home as a studio wherever she has lived. Her work has been exhibited all over the country and is held in private collections in New York, Toronto, Hong Kong, and Dubai. Following a spell working as an education adviser in Northumberland and Derbyshire, Kit moved to the North Yorkshire fishing village of Staithes, where she met her husband, Bill Hansell. The couple hosted painting holidays for several years, with Kit also chairing the village's Ladies Lifeboat Guild. They moved to Gresham in 2004 and, since then, Kit has exhibited at various North Norfolk venues, also joining the North Norfolk Organisation for Visual Arts and taking part in the Open Studios scheme. Kit, who says she is primarily a painter, also enjoys working with textiles, jewellery and glass. "I start from observation and a personal response to real things and places, but, as the work develops, I become more concerned with colours and surface." Her highly original paintings are inspired by her travels around the country, and by the Norfolk coastline. "I think there is a huge pressure to treat the landscape as a pretty picture," she says. "But, basically, because I like colour, and because I work quickly, I treat it as a series of coloured shapes - although I do still get drawn to a bit of realism." More of Kit Wade's work can be seen at Holkham Gallery; Affinity Arts at Alby Crafts; The Garden House, Cromer, and at www.kitwade.co.uk

Hilary Davies

vince.yallop@archant.co.uk — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 12:50:01 GMT

After training as a teacher in the 1960s, Hilary Davies of Cromer specialised in art, art and display and music, and went on to work as a deputy head teacher for 17 years. Her fascination with stained glass grew out of an interest in church architecture which she shared with her fellow artist husband Lewis. Over the years, the couple gradually built up an extensive collection of photographs and slides of church artworks, with Hilary also developing an interest in calligraphy, which she went on to incorporate into her designs. After attending life drawing classes, Hilary embarked on a BA fine art course at London Guildhall University, where she specialised in working with the projected image. She received a first for her dissertation on stained glass in England during the first half of the 20th century, with her final show consisting of an audio-visual presentation on the theme of The Annunciation. "Both stained glass and the projected image deal in the image revealed in light," Hilary said. She explored this idea further when taking an MA in applied art and visual culture, receiving a distinction in 1997 for another audio-visual presentation. Taking early retirement from teaching enabled Hilary to pursue her interest in stained glass and, in 1996, she enrolled at the City Literary Institute in London, where she entered the prestigious Stevens competition 3 times. In 1999, Hilary began to accept commissions, making stained glass for mainly domestic settings. "However, I still embark on personal projects and experiments, and Lewis and I still visit and photograph stained glass - our interest has widened to take in Victorian and Arts and Crafts glass too," she said. More of Hilary Davies’ work can be seen at the Stable Gallery, Kelling, phone 01263 711553.

Shirley Warren-Ward

vince.yallop@archant.co.uk — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 12:49:13 GMT

After leaving North Walsham High School, Shirley Warren-Ward spent time abroad before returning to Norfolk to work for Social Services and the National Health Service. She joined the Worstead Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers six years ago and, after learning to weave and spin, enrolled on a textiles course at City College, Norwich. She then completed an advanced textiles course and, keen to develop a new-found interest in design, signed up for a BTEC in Art and Design at Norwich School of Art. At the age of 48, Shirley graduated from Lowestoft School of Art and Design with a BA (hons), which, she said, felt "absolutely great". "I had always wanted to do a degree, and it was a wonderful feeling to have achieved that," Shirley said. After producing large digital photographic pieces on the theme of coastal erosion for a North Norfolk Organisation for Visual Arts (NOVA) exhibition held at Happisburgh several years ago, Shirley went on to use digitally-manipulated images as a base for woven pieces, ranging from wall hangings to containers. She has since taken part in group exhibitions at Corpusty, Southwold, Bury St Edmunds and Cromer and, with the Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers, has given weaving and spinning demonstrations in north Norfolk schools, and at events including the Worstead Festival, Holkham Hall Country Fair and the Royal Norfolk Show. Shirley, who lives at Mundesley, is inspired by effect of salt and wind on the north Norfolk landscape. "I suppose I'm interested in the area because it is on my doorstep, and I find I can use that weather-beaten look as a base for my work," she says. For more information about the Worstead Guild, or to contact Shirley Warren-Ward, visit www.northnorfolk.org//worsteadguild or phone 01692 406725