Darren Bowen Photography is showcasing Photography at Rush Espresso Cafe. Page Fehling and Jason Harper sit down with the artist responsible for all of the artwork adorning the walls of Rush Espresso Cafe in Ballantyne during FOX46 Good Day Charlotte’s Free Coffee Friday.

Rush espresso

The Rush Espresso Ballantyne Village store is the original flagship store serving South Charlotte locals and International visitors since February 2011. Opening at 6 am​ daily, this store serves Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner in addition to in-house crusty pastries and cakes. The coffee and tea selections are the envy of Charlotte, winning international awards from prestigious companies. Ballantyne offers live music, supporting Charlotte artists and a great place to unwind at the end of the day with a glass of wine or a cold beer.

Page

So newlyweds​ coming in to get a coffee, a way to start their day. And so Darren, you are the artist here of the artwork on the walls of Rush Espresso. Will you tell us about your art? Where does your inspiration come from?

Darren

Probably a little bit of madness actually. There’s nothing staged. It was just, I see something, I like the look of it, and I grab it.

Jason

Wow, that’s impressive. Now I’ve got to go with the accent, again, you don’t sign like you’re from South Charlotte-

Darren

No, there’s a lot of us here, yeah.

Jason

So did you guys know each other previous to this or is this like a big reunion of people that are all from Australia, what is it?

Darren

No. We’re planning some big revolution. No, I met Paul here when just coming to get coffee and just got to know each other and then we, actually about three months ago, we arranged to put the artwork up here.

Page

And how does it work? I mean, if someone’s here enjoying their coffee and they see something they like, the art is for sale on the walls, right?

Darren

Absolutely, you can actually go on Amazon and buy my work and you can also go to my website which is darrenbowen.photography.

Jason

What have you found that you love about Charlotte and this area that maybe you didn’t have back home? Have you found anything that’s like, “I love this?”

Darren

I think the opportunity. You know, I mean, I love England, I love the history and the culture, but the opportunity here is amazing. And Charlotte, I’ve been here 22 years and so I’ve seen this place grow and it’s amazing.

Page

And Teresa’s here too, right? She wasn’t back home, so we know he’s happy to have you here. Where’s home for you originally, Teresa?

Teresa

Charlotte.

Page

Oh, you’re a unicorn, right? You never hear that, it’s always transplants. Where exactly specifically in Charlotte?

Teresa

Well, different areas, Huntersville area, all around. I’ve lived in different areas about here.

Page

Well, we’re happy to have you down here in South Charlotte now. Darren and Teresa, thanks for talking with us, guys.

Yeah, great to see you.

Jason

Darren, I do have to ask, if there’s one place in Charlotte that you haven’t painted, if you had to paint a picture of one thing around town, what would it be?

Darren

You know, there’s one thing I love is the signage down by the, is it the Mint Museum?

Page

Yeah.

Darren

And just the points to every Charlotte possibility. I love that. The colour and just the atmos, yeah.

Jason

Well, we’re going to commission you, that’s your next project, okay.

Darren

I’ll take it.

Page

There you go. Thanks, guys.