We love it when a business puts a local artist up as part of their decor.

So we caught up with the latest artist featured in Congleton's Swan Bank venue The Lion & Swan.

Secondary school teacher Paul Benbow has found online success with his art - and he doesn't even teach the subject!

The multi-talented artist has a thirst for geography and wildlife, and when he's not painting at his Arclid home, he spends his dayjob teaching geography at Macclesfield's All Hallows' Catholic College, a school attended by some pupils in Congleton.

If you've not seen his work online, you may recognise it from the recently-refurbished The Lion & Swan in Congleton, as see Paul's incredible pieces hang on the walls.

Paul was commissioned by Congleton's The Lion & Swan to do a series of paintings for the popular venue where he is now planning a live workshop exhibiting his talents.

On his recent visit to The Lion & Swan after putting up his work, Paul spoke glowingly of the experience.

"I've just finally managed to eat at the pub I've done artwork for. Lovely food, great atmosphere," he complimented.

Paul is also commissioned from families in Congleton, Brereton and further afar.

And during lockdown, the 46 year old artist didn't sit still – children in a village in Ireland signed up to an artist workshop he put on YouTube.

"I did around 147 videos showing all sorts of things from how to draw Disney characters to other bits of artwork," said Paul.

Paul uses any spare time he has away from his role as lead practitioner of teaching and learning to do his artwork, often working on commissions.

And now he's bringing his love of geography and art together by getting his pupils to paint geographical features in his classroom.

"Making the classroom walls as colourful and engaging as possible helps bring the subject to life and bring an art space into the classroom," he added.

"A rainforest wall and a flooded Amazon will help pupils connect with the subject. We teach about global change and part of the syllabus is travel writing."

Paul uses the dining room table in the lounge of his family's Arclid home to paint but would one day love to open a small gallery Sandbach near where he lives.

"I do burn the midnight oil sometimes painting if I have a commission to finish," Paul also said.

"I love teaching, but I have always enjoyed art."

Paul and his family enjoy walking at weekends and some of the views he uses as inspiration for his work.

And it's also his love of geography and the ever changing world which provide inspiration for his art.

Paul keenly watches David Attenborough documentaries which provide further inspiration for some of his work.

"I just love art," he concluded.

"I've painted all sorts of things from toucans to chimps, apes and orangutans."

Paul's work is across social media on Twitter @paulbenbowart, Instagram @paulbenbowartist, his website www.paulbenbowart.com, YouTube @paulbenbowart and TikTok @paulbenbowart.

Please contact him for pricing enquiries.

Congleton: Have you been into see Paul's work? Have you ever commissioned him?

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