Belper’s Quartet

This informal group of Artists and Photographers have come together to showcase their images of the beautiful Amber Valley wildlife and countryside.

Ruby Fuller and Michael Hewing 'the Artists' and Michelle Jackson and Jim Bell 'the Photographers' are all very passionate about wildlife and the beautiful diverse countryside that exists in Derbyshire. With their various and complementary skills, they hope to present a compelling picture of the beauty of the local area.
Ruby was born in Whitstable and because her Dad was in the forces, she has lived abroad and in various places in the UK. She moved to Derbyshire 40 years ago and fell in love with it and now Derbyshire is where she calls home. Ruby sees Derbyshire as a little piece of paradise, having everything except the sea and wants to help people open their eyes, look around and enjoy what we have around us.

Ruby has always enjoyed drawing and painting and a love of nature and wild life so it was only a matter of time before she accepted the inevitable synergy of her two passions. She finally realised what colour pencils could do just before the COVID lockdown. One thing led to another and it wasn’t long before she started photographing wild life to use as references for her drawings.

Ruby believes that we live in the highly charged, automated and stressful world and that it is easy to overlook the healing power of nature and creativity.
Her aim is to inspire those who walk this path, to look around them, stand still, listen and absorb the tranquillity and peace of this beautiful place.

Ruby's contact details: www.facebook.com/rubyfullerart

Michael was born at the Florence Nightingale Home in Derby in July 1948 and has lived locally for fifty years, previously in Heage and Belper before moving to his current home in Ambergate. He first became interested in painting and photography at the age of fifteen, an interest which became a passion when he discovered the beauty of the Derbyshire wildlife and countryside. He takes inspiration from the beautiful Derbyshire landscapes, particularly enjoying how old buildings and bridges merge with the landscape and always seeks to capture the unique ambience in his paintings.

Michael is a self- taught artist who has developed his natural artistic skills by reading many painting tutorial books and studying the work of professional artists, to eventually discover and perfect his own style. Michael has always been a big supporter of various local fund-raising events, and has often donated paintings to support a good cause. Michael's wish is that visitors to the exhibition will be able to see and fully appreciate the beauty that the local area has to offer.

Michael’s contact details: michaelhewing@btinternet.com

Michelle was born in Derbyshire and her successful Engineering career has taken her from Melbourne Derbyshire to Melbourne Australia where she lived for 24 years. She returned to the UK to live in Belper in 2018.

She had always had an interest in photography but with a busy professional and family life, her camera then a point and shoot had always been used in automatic mode, generally for holidays and family occasions. Now at last with time on her hands in 2019 she decided to buy a DSLR camera and to learn to use it properly. With good advice and encouragement, she completed an on-line editing and camera course during Covid and qualified with the Royal Photographic Society (ARPS, LRPS) and the Guild of Photographers, (QGP.)
She has always loved nature and has travelled the country photographing wildlife. Her efforts have been rewarded by Awards from the Royal Photographic Society, the Guild of Photographers, the Society of International Photographers and the National Photographic Society and her work has been published in Books, Newspapers and magazines including the Times, the Daily Star, Amateur Photographer, Canon Photo plus and others.

Michelle's hope for this exhibition is that people will enjoy her photography and be inspired to step into the countryside and seek out nature in all forms.

Michelle’s contact details: https://emmabrookeuk.myportfolio.com/

Jim moved to Belper 54 years ago from the north east and rapidly came to appreciate the natural beauty of the area. He bought his first 'proper' camera and his passion for landscape and wildlife took off. Jim is, quite rightly, proud that he is self-taught.

One of his first interests was photographing local sports events. The local press spotted Jim's potential and starting with the Belper News, a long and successful career in photo journalism was launched. Jim was soon employed by both Derby County and Derbyshire County Cricket Club covering home and away fixtures as well as more personal photographs in the player's homes. Whenever he could, Sundays would find him tramping the hills with his brother and friends, always with his camera by his side.

As a freelance photographer, Jim also photographed numerous celebrities and politicians and was published in national and international news outlets. Unfortunately, mobility problems have latterly curtailed his hill walking and nowadays, Jim's passion is documenting social events in the local community. Jim hopes that the exhibition will encourage people to get out and enjoy the freedom of the open air, and do it now as tomorrow you may not have the choice.

Jim’s contact details: www.facebook.com/Jim.Bells.World