A Painting to Say Thank You… and a Very Happy 80th Birthday to Dudley! ❤️
As many of you know, it was recently Dudley’s 80th birthday at the Merrymoor Inn here in Mawgan Porth, Cornwall.
The Merrymoor, like so many people in the wonderful Mawgan Porth community, has been incredibly supportive of me over the 10-plus years I’ve been painting and teaching here.
On those days when the Cornish weather hasn’t cooperated, they’ve welcomed me into the pub, let me use their stage for my art lessons and helped me out in all sorts of ways. That sort of kindness is never forgotten.
65 Years at the Merrymoor
Some of you may remember that, for the family’s 65th anniversary at the Merrymoor earlier this year, Sara and Nick commissioned me to paint Mawgan Porth beach for them.
This time, with Dudley celebrating his 80th birthday, and Lynne’s 80th following in around 18 months, I wanted to paint an image of the two of them and the Merrymoor Inn, as a gift from me.
Painting Dudley and Lynne
So I painted Dudley and Lynne together on those very familiar steps of the Merrymoor… and, of course, Lynne had to be wearing her red wellies! ❤️
It seems particularly fitting to celebrate Dudley in this way. Dudley and Lynne, as well as Sara and Nick, have given so much to the Mawgan Porth community over the years, supporting charities, local people and so much more. I’m certainly not the only person who has benefited from the kindness and generosity of the whole family.
Lynne came outside with me to photograph the new painting, and I’ve also included a lovely photograph of Dudley seeing the painting Sara and Nick commissioned for the family’s 65th anniversary earlier this year.
More Than Seascapes
Some of you might be surprised to see me painting architecture rather than my familiar seascapes, but it’s something else I’ve painted throughout my life.
Whether it’s a Cornish seascape, architecture, a portrait or a personal commission, artwork can capture far more than a view. It can hold memories, people, places and stories that matter.
A Painting to Say Thank You
So this painting is really my way of saying thank you.
Happy 80th Birthday, Dudley. ❤️
And a huge thank you to Dudley, Lynne, Sara, Nick and everyone at the Merrymoor, and to the wider Mawgan Porth community, for over 10 years of friendship, kindness, practical help and consistent support.
Sometimes a painting can say thank you rather better than words can. 🎨❤️
