Tributes & Memories :
Please send your messages and memories for this page to sallyportraits@hotmail.com
Click here for Norma's Memories of John Bowen, President of Poole and East Dorset Art Society 1984-2020
Click here for 'John Bowen Remembered' by Martin Price
Click here for Marylyn's poem to John
Jan K: "In my early days of PEDAS and, as my very first encounter with John approached, the late, Richard Price described him as a wonderful, talented artist and friend with the comic delivery of Eddie Izzard. This I found to be true and during the many subsequent tutorials and talks his unique style always made me smile. A truly memorable character and a great loss to all."
Barbara Woods: "John and I go way back, having been colleagues at Bournemouth and Poole College of FE long before my PEDAS days. I remember going to his sessions for staff to appreciate the College’s Art Collection. I also had the privilege of exhibiting his paintings during my time promoting art exhibitions.
I have such fond memories of John and Diana on our many PEDAS holidays visiting wonderful places and art galleries in Paris, Amsterdam, The Hague, Barcelona etc. John was always so generous of his time, giving insight into the works of art to which he introduced us. I also remember that we didn’t have a sitter on one of our Sunday PEDAS sessions when John was doing a pastel portrait demonstration so I quickly volunteered. I shall always treasure the resulting portrait.
Finally, I will remember John as one of the most inspirational and much loved people you could wish to meet. He was kind and thoughtful and always interested in anything you had to say.
Fondest memories then John and best wishes to Diana and family."
Val T: "What a sad month.
Recent PEDAS members possibly won’t realize what an integral role John had in the club. His critiques of our exhibitions were always hotly anticipated – I’m sure I wasn’t the only one to hold their breath as he approached one of their paintings to find out just what he thought of it, suggestions for improvement as well as praise being just as welcome.
I used to love the full day workshops that he would arrange in the summer and always signed up as soon as they were announced. Nothing was too much trouble and tips and encouragement flowed throughout the day. Likewise the holidays when he would take us round the highlights of the many art galleries and museums we visited. As with everything else he did, they were always immaculately prepared and delivered with such enthusiasm.
I have one of John’s lovely Corfe Castle paintings hanging in the living room – a wonderful reminder of a truly gentle man."
Marisa: "After I finished a course of (CAD) Computer Aided Design, at the Poole College, I was encouraged by a friend doing a Flexistudy at the time to do an Art one. I did not know anything about paints or Artist, but I enrolled in a "A" level course of Art.
The tutors, Jem Mane and John Bowen. After that, I had many other, some small some a year long curses, with John.
He was a wonderful tutor, kind and ever there, to help you if your leg was wrong or your head was out of proportion (the model, that is). So, I am very very sorry for his demise, I will miss his classes and good advises, him for all the help that gave me, and others in his courses, and I will have him in my heart for ever. (Que en Paz descanse) dear John."
Suki: "I never met a person so kind as John. I first met John was about 40 years ago. I was a student at art college in Wallisdown and I attended a short life drawing class by John in the evening. I left a pencil case in his class and I forgot about it. A couple days later John himself brought it to me. I was amazed and couldn't believe how kind he was. John was a wonderful art teacher as well, he listened to us and gave us the best advice. I'll never forget him. Thank you John."
Robin: "I enjoyed listening to John's talks. He made them very interesting and informative, with a touch of humour. His honesty with critiques was most helpful and that glint of fun in his eye will always be remembered."
Andrew: “I am grateful to John for so much. His skill and virtuosity with any medium in any circumstance. His wit and spontaneity, his capacity to turn any disaster into a positive bonus.
He employed me at North Road College in the early 90s where I taught life drawing, A’ level art and A’ level graphics students, and where I had the opportunity to teach many of that generation of PEDAS, including Norma and Liz, who with John, and others, turned around the fortunes of the society, making it the success it is today. I then took over from him teaching life drawing in the evenings at Wallisdown, which led to the opportunity of working with Animation and Graphics degree students on some days. As my friend and mentor, I shall always be indebted to him for his kindness, support, and encouragement. I learned so much from him, and will be forever grateful.”
Judith L: “I remember the wonderful London gallery trips led by John and preceded by a slide show at the Lighthouse. A good few years ago but truly inspirational."
Dawn: “I have always appreciated John's paintings and his even handed approach to his critiques at Broadstone Art Society.
He was such a sport and even sang with me, "Oh yes, I remember it well" at a PEDAS Party! We had great fun painting
yards and yards of ceiling paper for the Panto... the garage floor became a Yellow Brick road!! I have great admiration for his bringing Diana to the PEDAS AGM and later giving a talk and slide show of his life as an artist.
John was a modest, sincere and wonderful man...he will be a hard act to follow as a President.”
Sue S: "Just so sad we should lose two such wonderful members of PEDAS within weeks of each other. I hope you don't mind but John Bowen was known to members of Pelhams Art Club, and others of course, and Colin Cripps wrote the following to me on hearing the sad news..
" John was such a great teacher and an extremely nice man who conducted several workshops for us in the past, including one on portraiture and another in which he took us all through an art school term in one workshop, starting with a still life, we had to draw his beekeeping equipment. He was taught by the great Peter Greenham RA who once got John to draw his creased shirt hanging on the door, which John said was excellent practise. We will miss him. Colin""
Click here for Norma's Memories of John Bowen, President of Poole and East Dorset Art Society 1984-2020
Click here for 'John Bowen Remembered' by Martin Price
Click here for Marylyn's poem to John
Jan K: "In my early days of PEDAS and, as my very first encounter with John approached, the late, Richard Price described him as a wonderful, talented artist and friend with the comic delivery of Eddie Izzard. This I found to be true and during the many subsequent tutorials and talks his unique style always made me smile. A truly memorable character and a great loss to all."
Barbara Woods: "John and I go way back, having been colleagues at Bournemouth and Poole College of FE long before my PEDAS days. I remember going to his sessions for staff to appreciate the College’s Art Collection. I also had the privilege of exhibiting his paintings during my time promoting art exhibitions.
I have such fond memories of John and Diana on our many PEDAS holidays visiting wonderful places and art galleries in Paris, Amsterdam, The Hague, Barcelona etc. John was always so generous of his time, giving insight into the works of art to which he introduced us. I also remember that we didn’t have a sitter on one of our Sunday PEDAS sessions when John was doing a pastel portrait demonstration so I quickly volunteered. I shall always treasure the resulting portrait.
Finally, I will remember John as one of the most inspirational and much loved people you could wish to meet. He was kind and thoughtful and always interested in anything you had to say.
Fondest memories then John and best wishes to Diana and family."
Val T: "What a sad month.
Recent PEDAS members possibly won’t realize what an integral role John had in the club. His critiques of our exhibitions were always hotly anticipated – I’m sure I wasn’t the only one to hold their breath as he approached one of their paintings to find out just what he thought of it, suggestions for improvement as well as praise being just as welcome.
I used to love the full day workshops that he would arrange in the summer and always signed up as soon as they were announced. Nothing was too much trouble and tips and encouragement flowed throughout the day. Likewise the holidays when he would take us round the highlights of the many art galleries and museums we visited. As with everything else he did, they were always immaculately prepared and delivered with such enthusiasm.
I have one of John’s lovely Corfe Castle paintings hanging in the living room – a wonderful reminder of a truly gentle man."
Marisa: "After I finished a course of (CAD) Computer Aided Design, at the Poole College, I was encouraged by a friend doing a Flexistudy at the time to do an Art one. I did not know anything about paints or Artist, but I enrolled in a "A" level course of Art.
The tutors, Jem Mane and John Bowen. After that, I had many other, some small some a year long curses, with John.
He was a wonderful tutor, kind and ever there, to help you if your leg was wrong or your head was out of proportion (the model, that is). So, I am very very sorry for his demise, I will miss his classes and good advises, him for all the help that gave me, and others in his courses, and I will have him in my heart for ever. (Que en Paz descanse) dear John."
Suki: "I never met a person so kind as John. I first met John was about 40 years ago. I was a student at art college in Wallisdown and I attended a short life drawing class by John in the evening. I left a pencil case in his class and I forgot about it. A couple days later John himself brought it to me. I was amazed and couldn't believe how kind he was. John was a wonderful art teacher as well, he listened to us and gave us the best advice. I'll never forget him. Thank you John."
Robin: "I enjoyed listening to John's talks. He made them very interesting and informative, with a touch of humour. His honesty with critiques was most helpful and that glint of fun in his eye will always be remembered."
Andrew: “I am grateful to John for so much. His skill and virtuosity with any medium in any circumstance. His wit and spontaneity, his capacity to turn any disaster into a positive bonus.
He employed me at North Road College in the early 90s where I taught life drawing, A’ level art and A’ level graphics students, and where I had the opportunity to teach many of that generation of PEDAS, including Norma and Liz, who with John, and others, turned around the fortunes of the society, making it the success it is today. I then took over from him teaching life drawing in the evenings at Wallisdown, which led to the opportunity of working with Animation and Graphics degree students on some days. As my friend and mentor, I shall always be indebted to him for his kindness, support, and encouragement. I learned so much from him, and will be forever grateful.”
Judith L: “I remember the wonderful London gallery trips led by John and preceded by a slide show at the Lighthouse. A good few years ago but truly inspirational."
Dawn: “I have always appreciated John's paintings and his even handed approach to his critiques at Broadstone Art Society.
He was such a sport and even sang with me, "Oh yes, I remember it well" at a PEDAS Party! We had great fun painting
yards and yards of ceiling paper for the Panto... the garage floor became a Yellow Brick road!! I have great admiration for his bringing Diana to the PEDAS AGM and later giving a talk and slide show of his life as an artist.
John was a modest, sincere and wonderful man...he will be a hard act to follow as a President.”
Sue S: "Just so sad we should lose two such wonderful members of PEDAS within weeks of each other. I hope you don't mind but John Bowen was known to members of Pelhams Art Club, and others of course, and Colin Cripps wrote the following to me on hearing the sad news..
" John was such a great teacher and an extremely nice man who conducted several workshops for us in the past, including one on portraiture and another in which he took us all through an art school term in one workshop, starting with a still life, we had to draw his beekeeping equipment. He was taught by the great Peter Greenham RA who once got John to draw his creased shirt hanging on the door, which John said was excellent practise. We will miss him. Colin""
Penny W: "They, both John & Dorothy, always had time to say hello and greeted me with a big smile. Lovely people who will be remembered by us all."
Sue S: "And our dear lovely Dorothy...
Dorothy I will always remember you with total affection and also a great smile on my face. We had such fun in recent years when we went on our little painting holidays. Firstly to Venice, when seven of us hired a flat for a week and painted en plain air and all the locals came and chatted to us. Then our long weekend in the little cottage at Tiptoe in the New Forest, when we had such fun playing Balderdash, we will never forget that! And lastly only last summer when you came with us to Lake Garda painting for a week. Such fond memories, we miss you lots."
Val T: "I knew Dorothy before I joined PEDAS and she was always so enthusiastic and engaged with everything we did, whether it was another art group or an art holiday – I particularly remember one that several of us enjoyed in Zakynthos. She was already a member of the PEDAS Committee when I joined the club and persuaded me to join too. I remember committee meetings at her house trying to avoid the attentions of her crazy black cat!"
Jan K: "Dorothy was a lovely, talented lady who, for me, epitomised PEDAS. Always encouraging and generous with her time and knowledge with a friendly and pleasant disposition that made it a pleasure to be a part of the many evening and summer sessions she attended. She will be very much missed."
Norma: "Dorothy was a beautiful lady inside and out. Her art was also beautiful in fact I can’t imagine anything ugly associated with her. I remember our holidays she would sit on deck elegant and with poise even when she had a drink or two. Again in our Pantomimes, always the lady, even in a peasant’s costume. I have known Dorothy for a great number of years she was or always seemed so happy her smile lit up the room. I know art made her happy and joining Pedas was one her favourite things. I am sad she is no longer here to light up our lives."
Caroline: "I would describe Dorothy as fun loving but always level headed. Whilst she was on the PEDAS Committee I would go to her home and share time putting the Newsletter into their envelopes. This time was full of interesting and lively chat
Once when we were painting en plein at the Mill at Sturminster Newton we thought we had chosen a shady area, but one where we had a good view. However, somehow we attracted a swarm of flies and however much we tried to escape they followed us where ever we moved our easel. Dorothy just kept on laughing. Dorothy was a lovely lady and full of grace."
Suki: "I really liked Dorothy who was always smiling and very kind. Last time I saw her was in Edinburgh with PEDAS members. She was very happy and she said to me how she enjoyed it. I am very glad I went there so I got to know her better but she has gone! I'll remember her forever."
Jacqui G: "Message for Dorothy. To a personal friend as well as a PEDAS colleague who carried her pain and suffering with positivity and always with a smile on her lovely face."
Sarah P: "I was so sad to hear about Dorothy's death. I had telephoned her a few weeks ago just to catch up as I didn't know she was ill because I haven't been to PEDAS for quite a while. I remember her kindness in inviting me to join her bunch of friends on our PEDAS trip to Amsterdam before we went - and that meant a lot. You all know how lovely and sweet she was - and so plucky dashing off to paint abroad. With love."
Dorothy I will always remember you with total affection and also a great smile on my face. We had such fun in recent years when we went on our little painting holidays. Firstly to Venice, when seven of us hired a flat for a week and painted en plain air and all the locals came and chatted to us. Then our long weekend in the little cottage at Tiptoe in the New Forest, when we had such fun playing Balderdash, we will never forget that! And lastly only last summer when you came with us to Lake Garda painting for a week. Such fond memories, we miss you lots."
Val T: "I knew Dorothy before I joined PEDAS and she was always so enthusiastic and engaged with everything we did, whether it was another art group or an art holiday – I particularly remember one that several of us enjoyed in Zakynthos. She was already a member of the PEDAS Committee when I joined the club and persuaded me to join too. I remember committee meetings at her house trying to avoid the attentions of her crazy black cat!"
Jan K: "Dorothy was a lovely, talented lady who, for me, epitomised PEDAS. Always encouraging and generous with her time and knowledge with a friendly and pleasant disposition that made it a pleasure to be a part of the many evening and summer sessions she attended. She will be very much missed."
Norma: "Dorothy was a beautiful lady inside and out. Her art was also beautiful in fact I can’t imagine anything ugly associated with her. I remember our holidays she would sit on deck elegant and with poise even when she had a drink or two. Again in our Pantomimes, always the lady, even in a peasant’s costume. I have known Dorothy for a great number of years she was or always seemed so happy her smile lit up the room. I know art made her happy and joining Pedas was one her favourite things. I am sad she is no longer here to light up our lives."
Caroline: "I would describe Dorothy as fun loving but always level headed. Whilst she was on the PEDAS Committee I would go to her home and share time putting the Newsletter into their envelopes. This time was full of interesting and lively chat
Once when we were painting en plein at the Mill at Sturminster Newton we thought we had chosen a shady area, but one where we had a good view. However, somehow we attracted a swarm of flies and however much we tried to escape they followed us where ever we moved our easel. Dorothy just kept on laughing. Dorothy was a lovely lady and full of grace."
Suki: "I really liked Dorothy who was always smiling and very kind. Last time I saw her was in Edinburgh with PEDAS members. She was very happy and she said to me how she enjoyed it. I am very glad I went there so I got to know her better but she has gone! I'll remember her forever."
Jacqui G: "Message for Dorothy. To a personal friend as well as a PEDAS colleague who carried her pain and suffering with positivity and always with a smile on her lovely face."
Sarah P: "I was so sad to hear about Dorothy's death. I had telephoned her a few weeks ago just to catch up as I didn't know she was ill because I haven't been to PEDAS for quite a while. I remember her kindness in inviting me to join her bunch of friends on our PEDAS trip to Amsterdam before we went - and that meant a lot. You all know how lovely and sweet she was - and so plucky dashing off to paint abroad. With love."
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workshops, demonstrations, topics and activities
are requested by PEDAS members.
Members, please email: suggestionbox@pedas.org.uk with your requests.
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