Southport Contemporary Arts' Regional Artists' Debut Exhibition

FOLLOWING a successful career in Further Education, teaching A level and BTEC programmes in Textiles, Surface Pattern, Drawing and Painting, Suzanne Riley has been passing on her invaluable artistic skill to a 'new' generation of aspiring artists via her mixed media drawing and painting courses held at the Cricket Club in Mawdesley and the studio room, at Brookside, in Ormskirk. "I believe that my courses provide the creative and stimulating environment for each student to realise their artistic potential in a relaxed and friendly setting. To improve observational skills and to sharpen visual perception, the courses are structured with the focus on drawing and painting from primary sources, not from photographs, including:- organic forms, everyday objects, seascapes, landscapes, flowers and foliage."

Retired teacher, Kath Coyle, who has been attending classes for 2 years, says:- "I love being transported to a quiet place, body and soul, during art classes on:- Wednesday, afternoons. Suzanne is an inspiration and has given me the tools and confidence to:- 'have a go' at art when I wouldn't have known where to start otherwise."

The forthcoming exhibition at ArtHouse in Southport will be the groups' 1st gallery exposure. It will represent over forty members and will encompass an extensive range of subject matter, medium and personal expression:- "I welcome all age groups and all ability levels at my groups; total beginners, improvers and more accomplished artists; and tasks are set according to ability and experience. For newcomers to the group I firmly believe investigating and gaining an understanding of the Visual Elements is the key to success and the focus is very much learning about these elements which include:- line, tone, shape, form, colour, texture and composition."

Brenda Golds, from Ormskirk, who joined Suzanne's art class when it 1st began in 2018, confesses to having 'enjoyed each and every session':- "As a newly retired head teacher I felt I needed a structured focus to the week which would allow me to develop a long neglected hobby and make new friends. Suzanne makes everyone welcome, no matter what their ability and provides activities that challenge yet encourage development. She uses a wide range of mixed media and concentrates upon teaching technique whilst promoting individuality and artistic flair. Most importantly, the classes are friendly and light-hearted and laughter can often be heard throughout the session. I have made many 'arty' friends over the years and look forward to making many more."

Also from Ormskirk, Doreen Lee is likewise a long standing member of the group:- "It has been a joy to rediscover my love of art, long forgotten since my youth. The class is great fun but challenging, and Suzanne, our brilliant teacher, can transform a picture with even the smallest suggestion."

As Suzanne explains:- "Groups learn about the importance of mark making techniques and investigate the mixing and application of a wide range of media. It is encouraged that these are then applied to their own artwork. We factor in various drawing techniques, such as continuous line and gestural drawing and aim to cultivate each member's own drawing styles to create personal responses to any given theme."

Although admitting to attending the classes as a new hobby, local retired dentist, Ruth Jones, admits that:- "each class works for beginners and experienced artists side by side. The skills and techniques we learn with Suzanne bring us such joy; both the fun atmosphere in the class while we are learning, and with the sense of achievement in the pieces we can create."

Attendees review, refine and discuss their own and others artwork on a regular basis in order to share ideas and celebrate individual interpretations. Suzanne explains that:- "my courses aim to provide the students with many creative skills and applications within mixed media drawing and painting and to develop a breadth of artistic skills."

Retired UCLan lecturer, Lyn Broster, now living in Ormskirk, started attending classes in 2019:- ''Suzanne passes on her infectious enthusiasm for mixed media to the whole group and her teaching provides you with confidence in your own artwork."

This ambitious display will be on exhibition from:- 31 October to 11 November 2023, at:- The ArtHouse, 65 Eastbank Street, Southport, PR8 1EJ. Opening times: Tuesday; Friday:- 10am to 3pm, and Saturday:- 11am to 4pm.