Creating an arty haven

Jun 11 2009 by Gil Lightfoot, Flintshire Chronicle

Creating an arty haven

A stunning village home is to become the centre of new arts scheme.

Arts in Eccleston is the brainchild of Chris Talbot and Taima Hervas-Jones who are convinced that most people have some artistic talent – and simply need a little help to express themselves creatively.

To that end they are offering one-day classes in everything from painting and drawing to cooking, photography, ceramics and pottery – all with specialist tutors.

The classes will be held at Chris’s home, The Manor House, in the studio set up by her husband, renowned portrait photographer Gary Talbot.

“It has ample space and northern light which is ideal for working,” says Chris. “I have always wanted to do something like this and encourage other people to get involved with art and creativity.”

The guest artists include internationally famed painters such as Peter Welton, Brian Taylor, and Zelda Pickup, sculptor Liz Ellis and watercolourist Marian Warrington.

“Each class will be as individual as the artist,” says Chris.

Chris and Gary’s creativity has obviously influenced their two children, now both married and living abroad. Their daughter, Annabel, is a knitwear designer living in Melbourne with her husband, Matt, an architect, and baby Matilda Rose. Their son, Damian also an architect, lives in Dubai with his wife Ivy.

“As you can tell I have always been surrounded by creativity,” says Chris. “I have spent the past 15 years fund-raising as the chairman of the North West Lady Taverners, which I recently gave up. I needed to do something and while chatting with Taima we came up with what we think a great concept.”

Taima, who has lived in Eccleston for six years, is originally from Virginia. She is a creative independent film-maker who has made numerous award-winning documentary films for the Discovery Channel and US television. Carrier: Fortress at Sea, a film she co-produced, won an Emmy for outstanding informational and cultural programming.

Taima came to the UK after marrying Welshman Justin Jones, from Sealand, near Chester. She is a parent governor at the village primary school attended by her two children, Sebastian and Skye.

“The village is so inspiring,” said Taima. “We have many artists living here. It is such a beautiful place that we feel our would-be artists cannot help but be inspired.”

Chris and Taima have plans for a number of artistic endeavors such as film-making, interior design and photography but are open to ideas. “If anyone has their own dream maybe we could organise a day around that,” says Chris.

“There is a huge resource of people here who are able to teach different art forms and crafts.”

The scheme has already caught the imagination of the Chester Tourist Board and several city hotels which will be promoting it on their websites as an ideal activity for visitors to the city.

Forthcoming classes include pastel portraits taught by Marion Warrington on June 17; hand-built ceramics with Liz Ellis on June 24; charcoal drawing with Brian Taylor on July 1 and watercolours with Pete Welton on July 8.

The classes cost £100 a day and include morning coffee, art demonstration and tuition, and lunch with fine wine.

For further information call Chris on 01244 675630, email chrissy@chrissytalbot.com or call Taima on 01244 676612.