Teachers' Corner

Andrie Savva, Researcher practitioner and scholar, UK

The artworks emerge from a broader project titled "Re-membering" in which memories, time, and relationality play an important role. Re-membering is a sacred and ceremonial practice that rejects a linear account of the past. Through this project, lived experiences, places, heritages, and materials are entangled. The artworks emerged while travel-hopping (as Karen Barad suggests) through the landscapes of the Southern-Eastern Mediterranean. For the first artwork, "Coast Line," I worked with acrylics, paper, sand, and salt. For the second artwork, "Salt Lake," I worked with chalk, paper, salt, and sand. Sand, salt, and chalk are linked with the sea; immersed in social and political structures; inextricably entangled with stories of struggle, migration, and colonialism; glowing in mind and body.

Angela Savage, Dronfield Henry Fanshawe School, Derbyshire

I create all of my illustrations using traditional drawing, paint and print media, you can see the pen and paint marks if you look closely. As a print-maker, I am a natural mark-maker and I use a black pen to draw, ink and watercolour to paint, and combine these with collage to create the work; each design begins its life as an individual hand drawn and painted artwork which is then digitised and edited digitally. In the work I express my love of nature, imagination, pattern and colour when I create each piece.

Angela Sutton, Thorns Collegiate Academy, Brierley Hill, West Midlands

Sketching is something I always go back to as it's quick and can be done anywhere, often giving me time to reflect and zone out. When visiting new places I enjoy looking for interesting views/ sculptures to draw from later, usually with a pen or whatever is at hand.

Anna Mallory , Ormiston Venture Academy, Gt Yarmouth

I’ve submitted 3 watercolour paintings of animal skulls. I’ve always loved painting and created work from skulls because of the organic shapes and beautiful contrasting textures . I also enjoy combining the skulls with mythology and positive symbols.

Beth Brock, St Barts School, Newbury, Berkshire

Textile Artist and Secondary School teacher, Beth Brock produces artwork, which explores different global textile techniques, processes, and modern technologies. Interested in anthropology and sociology her collections are inspired by the cultural diversity of the 21st century global society.

Bonnie White, Quinton House School, Northampton

A teacher for 40 years, having taught ages from 2 up to my oldest student of 96 - I would say that art is indeed my life and my passion! When I get the time I draw, paint, sculpt and create textiles. I gained a 2:1 BA Hons in the History and Theory of Art at Kent at Canterbury University and this served me well to understand the processes an artist goes through. I also undertook many art courses at Canterbury College under the adult studies remit) I have covered woodwork, mosaics, enamelling, printmaking, 2 City & Guild’s courses in creative textiles through to undertaking stained glass, murals and interior design commissions. Of all the disciplines sculpture and free machine embroidery are my favourites - it is just finding the time alongside running an Art & Photography department and now Head of Year 10 too. It is important to get a work life balance and so in April this year, I set myself a challenge of creating a piece of art or attending a workshop once a month. So far so good! The three pieces I am showing are 1. A creative group textiles piece called ‘Freedom’ commissioned by the Fitwilliam Museum in Cambridge to celebrate the collection during lockdown- I chose the Bridesmaid by Millais and several Dutch still life paintings including jan Van Kessel’s paintings of insects on copper to show while we were masked up and confined, nature was enjoying a rebirth through cleaner environments - the insects fly out to be reborn. 2.&3. Clay sculptures from life, of a Drama student at Reading University and a Research Scientist at Oxford’s Radcliffe Hospital - Biscuit fired white clay, hand finished with black car spray and a bronze patina. Next step is to experiment combining clay with textiles!

Cath Tebbs , Norbury C of E School, Ashbourne, Derbyshire

I have recently become really interested in portraiture and developing my pencil crayon skills- something I have never really used before. I am enjoying working tonally in some instances and seeing where a drawing takes me.

Charlotte Knowles, Pendle Vale College, Nelson, Lancashire

Cinderella Jay, Springwood High School, Kings Lynn

I saw the post and thought it might be a great idea to share some of my work. As a teacher I don’t spend a lot of time sharing my work at a professional level.

Claire Cooper, Marden Bridge Middle School, Whitley Bay

Experimental landscapes that explore home. The coast where I live is my primary source and it’s where I find connection.

Emily Carter, Dene Academy, Peterlee

I use neon colours to produce landscape and abstract artworks. I have a fascination with colour and mark making, using many different tools. More recently I have been creating my work either post meditation or whilst in it. This has given new techniques and outcomes. I really am enjoying this process and it allows my brain to be calm!

Emma Balnaves, John Willmott School, Sutton Coldfield

My work explores the little moments when I stop and take notice of what is around me. Life is busy and we often miss the small things; taking a breath of fresh air, feeling the breeze as the wind blows through the trees, noticing the colours of the landscape around us. I am inspired by nature, memories of places I have visited or feelings that are evoked when I pass through a landscape. I work in a range of media and enjoy exploring different processes and techniques. My instagram is @emmabalnavesartist.

Grace Bull, Watford Grammar for Boys

Her work is deeply inspired by nature, colour, emotions and the power of words. These things find themselves in her paintings that she considers vistas of landscapes, seascapes, skycapes, spacescapes and dreamscapes. Often her pieces are linked with poetry and prose of her own or others and has found connection with her customers time and time again through this. She uses mixed media of various kinds depending on what she is painting and often includes shimmering gold that brings her pieces to life.

Jessica Britton, Corpus Christi Catholic College, Leeds

Jessica Britton is a British oil painter whose creative process uses portraiture as a vehicle of self exploration. Traditional and unconventional painting methods convey the artists need for connection and logic.

Kay Loynd, Leigh Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School

I am passionate about textiles and in particular applique and hand embroidery I enjoy looking at everyday objects and the way small items can provoke big memories.

Linda Harvey, Archbishop Holgate's School, York

I am inspired by the places I visit, capturing the moment through photography then gives me the starting point from which my work evolves. I am particularly drawn to rustic textures, the ageing process and anything corroded and tarnished; colour, pattern and texture are the key elements in my abstract artwork. My work includes a range of techniques including printing, stitching, distressing, layering, and painting fabrics. I love to manipulate fabrics to create textural, expressive and bespoke artwork. Find out more at www.lindaharveytextiles.co.uk www.instagram.com/lindaharveytextiles

Lizzie Bland, West Kirby School and College, Wirral

I chose to paint in this style after doing an abstract painting course at Blue Coat in 2019. I hadn’t picked up a paintbrush in 10 years but it felt completely natural to me and fuelled my creative fire again. I use acrylic paint as I enjoy the speed it dries in and as part of my process mix all my own colours and by that I mean I use only the primary colours plus black and white to create all the colour you see on the canvas. I use swatches to challenge myself to make the colours and experiment, making notes of how I created them. I also use a wide variety of brushes, palette knives, sponges, sticks and my fingers to create a number of different marks and I don’t plan when I paint so the process moves organically as I go along. One of the things I most enjoy is the layering of paint and marks and how the colours play against each other, sometimes in harmony and sometimes not. Abstract painting allows me to paint in the moment and often is a reflection of how I’m feeling at the time, dictating colour choices and my approach to the marks. It is a very free process and I sometimes work on more than one canvas at a time, I initially layer the paint in a wash, then add larger forms and marks and finally add the fine details; the flicks, the spots and the lines, afterwards. Knowing when it’s finished is perhaps the hardest part and when I think it’s done, I leave it, looking at it a few times over a week, sometimes adding a few final marks.

Lizzie Buck, Anglo European School, Essex

I paint all kinds of subject matter including landscape, still life and portraiture however, I also have a textile’s background so spend quite a lot of time exploring pattern and surface design. My pieces are based on real life and I began my journey trying to create a realisation representation of the objects in front of me. I have since developed my style to include imaginary aspects such as the patterns on the books or an exaggerated colour palette. Essentially, my artwork is colour and value driven and the scenes/objects that I choose to paint probably include of neon, strong lighting and reflective objects. I mostly use acrylics and watercolours and I prefer to work on paper, card and wood panels and I try to paint most evenings.

Luchelle Walsh, Wistaston Academy, Crewe, Cheshire

I enjoy working with acrylics on a large scale, and experimenting with textured layers of mixed media. My inspiration is often natural forms, although I enjoy representing them in heightened colour with dream-like attributes. The two pieces below are sections of commissioned murals: the first for a local Tiki Bar and the second for a local music festival. The second contains 3D elements of texture such as textiles and glass.

Matthew Dando, Histon and Impington Park Primary School, Cambridge

I have been using art as a mental wellbeing focus for years. My painting allow me to put my troubles in paint which sorts of locks them away and I use my sculptures to relax. There is nothing like having to clear your mind when using razor sharp chisels! I have submitted three of my recent sculptures which are of an abstract nature but are influenced by natural movements.

Melanie Garner, Burnham Grammar School, Bucks

Driftwood art - made from driftwood from Abermaw (Barmouth in Wales)

Melanie Hunter, St Gabriel’s, Newbury, Berkshire

With a background in 3D Design, I have started to enjoy exploring digital media and am currently creating pattern-based artworks using a combination of Procreate, Photoshop and watercolour.

Natalie Deane, Battyeford CE Primary School, West Yorkshire

I create drawings of sheep that focus on their weight and proportion, exploring space. The sheep subject consumes the landscape within the body and appears at one with it. This is intentional as we as viewers do not necessarily see sheep as creators of our landscapes.

Nicola Waltho, Bideford College, Devon

My work is inspired by nature, found objects and the rural environment in which I live in North Cornwall. I tend to work in a mixed media, utilising textiles and print making technqiues. Manipulating surfaces through colage and stitch. More recently I ahve been developeing work for reporduction in printed textiles and dress fabrics.

Penny Roberts, Sidmouth College, East Devon

Responding to the the conscious and on conscious thoughts that occurs to us and deep into our minds when we’re out in nature walking. This work has been made during completion on an MA in illustration @Falmouth while working as HOD. Penny used watercolours then cut and assembled landscapes, the gold (gilded) line represents the healing that takes place during the thinking time that a walk in nature offers.

Rebecca Cross, River Tees Multi Academy Trust, Middlesbrough

I study the beauty of all things natural forms and express them in an abstract way. I love to use mixed media to create different textures, shapes and atmospheres. I explore a lot of art mediums with my daughter as we run a small abstract art business, we love experimenting and playing with new colours and compositions.

Reena Solomon, Coppleston High, Ipswich

This is a positive trait for all, allows problem solving and emotional and mental health development and growth. The arts are vital in how to explore the world and communication with others.

Sara Kemp, Pewsey Primary School, Wiltshire

I just love to create in a variety of media. I am not a precise artist and that is why I like to use lino printing and free motion embroidery. I am lucky enough to have a craft cabin where I can escape and create.

Sarah Brooks, Callow End CofE Primary School, Worcestershire

I love painting and drawing portraits, especially trying to capture people’s essence or show vulnerability. The building painting was a present commissioned for my TA’s daughter’s wedding. It was the first building I have ever painted but I had so much fun. I hope to do more like it in the future!

Sarah McMahon, Newminster Middle School, Morpeth

I’m a self taught artist who is inspired by the local landscapes of Northumberland. I work with acrylics and have started to experiment with acrylic paint pouring which I find very freeing as my artwork is very detailed usually. I also work with polychromos pencils to create detailed drawings of pets and wildlife.

Simon Columb, North Bridge House Prep School, London

I have spent the summer painting a daily trainer or shoe using gouache paint. I've tried to select iconic shoes though I am bound to have missed one. This has all been on a very small scale and within a concertina sketch book. In that respect, it is arguably one single long piece of work - front and back. In addition to painting so regularly, I have also created 30 second "Tiktok" videos for each and every painting, sharing these on social media. Tiktok link: https://www.tiktok.com/@simoncolumb?_t=8efvB9bSAgz&_r=1)

Susan Coles, Vice President, International Society for Education through Art

I think that photography is intriguing because it captures the essence of humanity in dynamic, diverse, and ever-changing environments, offering an engaging blend of art, storytelling, and cultural insight. The availability of high quality images using just a smartphone is a revolution. It really makes me 'look' and then 'see'. These images are from my many wanderings. No people, just things I have seen which stopped me in my tracks.

Wendy Copeland, Hummersknott Academy, Darlington, Co Durham

I am an artist teacher that is forever learning and is heavily influenced by my current surroundings...

INTERNATIONAL SUBMISSIONS

Chek-Huo Leung, Peking experimental school, Jiaxing, China

My work focuses on people in China and the character of these individuals are captured in this mark-making process of using intense and vibrant colours of the posca markers, strokes alongside the vivid marks from the brush markers and markers for contrast to create this artworks. These artworks are initial taken from photography and developed from this process.

Hannah Movassagh Nekounam, Haileybury Astana School, Kazakhstan

I love teaching Art, I believe helping draw out ideas and inspiration is key to creativity. It keeps you on your toes as an Artist, you may not always have the time you would like to explore all the avenues, but just as in the discipline of Art itself, in teaching you are always on the hunt for inspiration. Having initially studied Fine Art, I focus mainly on oil painting and watercolour in my own works. However I regularly mix this up with photography, 3D, print and textiles. Travelling, a feature of my recent years in International schools, has undoubtedly impacted my work. Being mixed heritage myself (Canadian, British, Swedish, Scottish heritage and married into an Iranian family) it has emphasised the whole planet has beauty and heritage we need to appreciate and look after for the next generations. As such I love to paint nature, be it the mountains, the deep oceans, or the forest lands that surround us. In the pieces selected these themes are depicted, and each has a symbolic meaning in its creation. The ‘Major Oak’ is reference to the infamous tree in Nottingham forest reportedly where Robin hood took refuge. I created it for a theatrical production in Almaty, as students at a Kazakh University wished to act out this famous British story. The painting was printed large scale as a backdrop, and the brief was a symbolic depiction of the trees of the forest which could at the same time offer beauty as the light shines between the twisting branches, and a threat in the fear of being trapped. The fish study represents my love of the oceans, the beauty and fluidity of light in water. The Tien Shan mountains are the beautiful mountains on the border of Kazakhstan, and translated is ‘heavenly mountains’.

Ivy Brioso, PAREF (Parents for Education Foundation) Rosehill School for Girls, Philippines

I tried to recreate in brush strokes the landscape scenes I captured in photos.