Junior school artists inspired

Budding artists from Solihull Junior School showcased their skills at a local gallery where they were praised by the artist who inspired them.

Budding artists from Solihull Junior School and Paul HortonThe School’s 10 to 11-year olds produced pastel sketches influenced by the work of Paul Horton that were put on display at Castle Galleries in Mell Square.

A regular exhibitor at the gallery, Paul chose four winners after the boys and girls had spent two months working on his techniques in their art lessons.

Sophie Borman, Charlotte Hope, George Sunderland and overall winner of the competition Penny Goodman had their sketches mounted and framed and exhibited alongside his works.

Paul presented each of them with a signed copy of his new book and a personalised sketch as mementoes of their success.

Rachel Morgan, Art Co-ordinator at Solihull Junior School, said: “Our pupils thoroughly enjoyed creating sketches in the style of such a famous local artist and were thrilled to have them exhibited in a gallery – and hopefully it will inspire them to even greater things.”

She added: “Our thanks go to Paul and the staff of Castle Galleries for the time, effort and enthusiasm they put in to making the project such a huge success.”

Paul Horton, who lives in Harborne, is an award-winning contemporary artist renowned for a wonderful array of characters and street scenes, offering universal themes that appeal to people of all ages and in all walks of life.