About us : Our Tutors
Anna Bowen - Letter Carving and Carving
Anna studied ‘brush lettering’ and relief carving at the John Stevens Shop in Newport Rhode Island, USA. She works to commission in stone, wood and glass and is a carver with the Memorials by Artists organization and in 2008 she was an Artist in Residence at West Dean College. Her smaller pieces of creatively cut lettering can be seen in Dorset galleries.
Anna has taught at Weymouth College, Craven College, from her workshop and outreach into schools. In 2008 she was commissioned by Purbeck District Council to carve six boulders – temporarily located at the Burngate Stone Carving Centre – which are slowly being incorporated back into rebuilding the drystone wall a long the South West Coastal Path near Langton Matravers.
Midge Bullock - Carving and '3D Wire & Sculpture'
Midge Bullock is a sculptor and artist based on the Purbeck Isle in Dorset, working in stone, wire, plaster or living foliage to create form. The natural and man made environment, with all it’s diversity, promotes form and colour to translate in to final work.
She undertakes commissions in stone carving as is inspired by nature and the wild aspects of her subjects. Midge has lived in the area for over ten years and teaches children to 'Have -a-Go' at stone carving at the Burngate Stone Carving Centre.
Midge is very drawn to the local flora and fauna and species of animals and birds from other countries. Teaching children has opened up natural alternatives for them to process and become aware of their surroundings. Most students derive great satisfaction in accomplishing carving skills and translating them in to something of interest to take home. Their future interests may well be inspired towards working in stone or creative, designing careers.
She has always wanted to produce creative work and also works in chalk pastels, pen & ink and pencil. Life studies and the dramatic effects nature throws at us in shadow and light are among the most interesting work areas for her.
Everyone has appreciation of their environment but some need to have it coaxed out slowly and then the dawning is wonderful. Midge believes we all have creative sides even if it is just in appreciation of form, texture and colour.
Valentine Quinn - Carving
Val Quinn taught Art at Comprehensive level for several years before leaving the profession in 1981 to learn stone masonry and carving skills in Weymouth.
After taking part in sculpture events in Swanage he moved to Purbeck with his wife and family in 1987 in order to find work as a stonemason to learn and gain experience in a local quarry. Val worked for H.F. Bonfield & Son for eleven years. Bonfields are one of the oldest quarrying families in Purbeck, digging and working stone and marble since 1651 and beyond.
Since going freelance Val still does work for Bonfields, and other quarries in the area, specializing in carving and lettering. He also undertakes private commissions and personal sculpture, including memorials. He lives and works in Langton Matravers.
Heather Gibbons - Painter & Printmaker
Heather's initial training was in printmaking and textile design at Bournemouth College of Art, after which she was employed by Dorset County Council teaching art and design to City & Guilds level. Her interest in painting - as an extension to printmaking - later led her to complete a fine art diploma at the Arts Institute in Bournemouth.
Her work is regularly exhibited and, since 1994 she has taken part in Dorset Art Weeks and Purbeck Art Weeks since it came into being in 2003.
Jonathan Sells - Carving
Jonathan Sells is a professional stone carver and mason who studied architectural carving and stone masonry at Weymouth College, Dorset, where he trained with Portland stone masons.
As a sculptor and artist he is self-taught. His thirty years experience has enabled him to work successfully with architects, public bodies and individual members of the public to create unique and inspiring pieces of artwork.
As an international sculptor, he works from his studio base at Corfe Castle, Dorset, where he happily undertakes hand carved stonework commissions including fireplaces, garden furniture, water features, birdbaths, functional artefacts for inside and out, wedding and birth gifts, lettercutting and restoration work.
Angelika Seik - Sculpture
Angelika is a humanist artist interested in people's emotions, relationships and interactions. Her recent work has focused on the female form – ‘timeless women who hold the fabric of societies together’. Her prolific career has spanned over 25 years and her work has been shown in over 150 exhibitions.
Angelika works on a wide variety of stone. In the summer she works on large pieces outside in the garden and in winter she develops smaller sculptures and maquettes in her studio. Angelika uses hard Purbeck stone and Portland stone for the large sculptures and for the smaller ones she often uses Bathstone and Caenstone. Angelika’s largest sculpture to date is “Children at a Rockpool”, commissioned by Dorchester Town , Dorset and can be seen at Poundbury.
Every year Angelika opens her studio and garden to the public during Dorset and Purbeck Arts Weeks.
Di Quinn – 3D Wire & Sculpture
Di trained at St Martin’s School of Art, Birmingham Art College and Chelsea School of Printing and Weymouth College – and has over 25 years experience as a sculpture technician in moulding and finishing cold cast bronze resin. Di has also taught Art at Weymouth College.
Di is interested in all Arts and Crafts and practices a wide range of work including life drawing, painting and sculpture in resin, wire and plaster. She is involved with setting up, running and promoting several local craft fairs, events and the Purbeck Artists and Stallholders Group.
