Looking for unique gifts made by local artists this festive season or throughout the year? The Christmas Fair starts at Retford Arts Hub, Churchgate, Retford on 16th November. It will be full of hand-made gifts and decorations and is not to be missed.
You may have seen the shop downstairs and the coffee shop, but have you ventured up the stairs to meet the Hub’s resident artists? This passionate group of people are talented and friendly, and each has their own studio and display of their work. We meet some of them…
Dominique and Michael
This couple, trained in illustration and design with a combination of traditional and digital media, have worked locally on projects including shop signage and book illustrations. While both artists are proficient in digital mediums, Michael especially enjoys creating atmospheric pencil sketches and Dominique has a passion for naturalist watercolours and inkwork.
Lesley Pearson
Illustrations and sketches from journeys on her narrowboat home Hekla form the backbone of Lesley’s artwork. By travelling the corridors of nature, a series of routes and the joy of nature unravelled and Lesley creates pieces using watercolours, pen and inks and pencils. You can also view her work at www.jellygnomes.co.uk.
Peter Rixham
Peter is a block printer and maker of bespoke lampshades. He also periodically sells lampshade ‘Samples and Seconds’ along with greetings cards, tea towels and waste paper bins, which are anything but rubbish! See his work at www.rixhamjonesinteriors.com.
Michelle Powell
For stunning watercolours and mixed media art, which can be personalised on request, Michelle’s work makes a great addition to your home or a perfect gift. Michelle studied at art college and spent 25 years working as a graphic designer. After recent changes to her health, she now spends times using art as a therapy for her wellbeing and to provide a creative outlet. See more on Instagram, @haikume_art.
Mark Bloomer
Mark’s landscapes and seascapes using the main mediums of acrylic and oil. Mark, from Worksop, has recently started teaching workshops at the Hub using acrylic and he intends to continue teaching in the future.
Image: Mark Bloomer