Meet our artists
Chris Pennock - Pomfret Gallery owner and resident artist
After an artistic childhood Chris trained at Jacob Kramer Art College in Leeds. In 1987 Chris and his wife Linda opened their art and framing business Pomfret Gallery in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, still going strong today and now joined by son Richard.
Chris has been involved in many creative projects which include numerous art exhibitions, photographic projects, design work on pottery, house, garden and interior design.
Much of his early inspiration came from the impressionists. Chris's love of picture framing started when he first exhibited his work in his early 20s, his aim was and still is to create perfect harmony for the viewer.
His latest interests are trees in the landscape painted with a vibrant, dappled style through the ever changing seasons.
Chris has always been a bit of an adventure and has been involved in many adrenaline sports including kayaking, surfing, mountain biking and snowboarding.
Rozanne Bell
Rozanne Bell (Nee Marshall) was born in Zimbabwe in 1962 where she lived for 40 years. The vibrancy, creativity and colour of Rozanne Bell’s character is reflected in her work. Her gregarious, bold and expansive nature embodies the topics and styles of her paintings.
Born in Zimbabwe, Rozanne developed her artistic career there, painting the colourful flora and fauna of Africa, which she then personalised with her own humorous perspective. She came to Britain in 2002, and whilst her style and subject matter has since expanded greatly, the memories and influence of her native country are reflected in the vibrancy and depth of her paintings.
Ben Payne
Ben has been painting all his life and is largely self-taught, but he learned a great deal as he grew up, from his artist mother. After studying at school in Wimbledon, London, he went on to pursue other avenues of interest, but always continued to paint for pleasure. Graduating in Psychology, he then trained as a Behavioural Therapist, specialising in work with young children with Autism, which he believes taught him to value simplicity and to communicate in a very direct and accessible language. It has been described that his paintings 'display a certain innocence which set them apart from the work of his contemporaries', which Ben certainly attributes to this background.
Allan Morgan
Allan is a full-time artist living in the beautiful border country of Herefordshire and Powys.
He was born in 1952. After five years of study at Swansea and Coventry Art Colleges, he graduated with a BA in Fine Art (Painting) and embarked on a career as an illustrator in publishing. His professional painting career has since focused on realist landscape painting.
He has recently extended his style to encompass a more "colourist" approach. The basis of his inspiration remains largely his love of light, colour and atmosphere in landscape. Having formerly spent many years living near the coast, he regularly returns to this subject matter.
Tony Gittins
Tony Gittins was born in Wolverhampton in 1970. Tony left school with ‘A’ Levels in Art and Design and at the age of 17 he decided to join his father’s company so he could fund his passion for painting. At the age of 26 Tony decided to dedicate more time to his artwork and he pushed to become a full time artist. Over the next few years Tony had an opportunity of doing some freelance work, his paintings took priority until he had his first publishing deal a few years later. From then his passion for fine art has burnt ever stronger and he now considers himself bless to create original works every day. Having experimented with different styles, mediums and subjects; Tony now finds that his paintings are best suited to oil and canvas onto which he creates highly lit cities and landscapes.
Nigel Cooke
Nigel Cooke was born in Mirfield, West Yorkshire in 1960. He joined the Merchant Navy after leaving school and subsequently has held a number of jobs on the road to becoming a full-time artist.
Nigel Cooke sold his first painting at the age of 14 and joined Butlins as their resident caricaturist and entertainer in 1992. He later went on to open caricature concessions on Blackpool’s Central Pier and Pleasure Beach, in the Trafford Centre Mall in Manchester, and at Alton Towers. During this time he completed well over 10,000 hours of live drawing and painting.
Susan Leigh
My journey as artist/designer has taken me down many creative paths. I am now travelling along the 'painting' path....so very frustrating but so very exciting at the same time. I want to explore life and express my true self in everything I do.
Ruby Keller
Keller’s mixed media paintings show a vibrant yet subtle use of colour, the way it captures the world around him on canvas appears almost spiritual....