Observed Surroundings

A Bit About The Artist.

Mike Connell was born in 1957, and grew up in Newton Aycliffe, with his parents and older brother Richard. He attended Marlow Hall and Woodham Comprehensive (1968 - 1975).

After 'A' levels, Mike worked in many bars, shops, and factories, whilst gaining a Fine Art Degree at Sunderland Polytechnic (1976 - 1982), where he benefited from the teaching and guidance of both John Peace (life drawing) and Dave Gormley (tutor).

He returned to factory work and painted everyday scenes in his spare time, showing work in several open art exhibitions, and completing commissions. He also did pencil portraits and caricatures at the Great Aycliffe Show for a few years.

Later, Mike qualified as an Art/Special Needs teacher at Bretton Hall, South Yorkshire, during the Miner's Strike (1984 - 1985) - a real eye-opener!

Mike enjoyed a long teaching career but took early retirement at 55 (although continued supply work until 60). This freed up the time to do his own drawing and painting seriously again - the result of which is this third solo exhibition ‘Observed Surroundings'. This is a 'snapshot' of Newton Aycliffe from 2018 to the present day - including some earlier portraits, studies and some old photos of growing up on town - which visitors to Darlington Library Art Gallery will hopefully find interesting!