My first ‘Art and Soul’ painting was during covid. Someone close to me was going through a season of challenges and reluctantly had to move. We couldn’t meet in person so I posted a brochure through her door, offering to paint for her something infused with hope based on her aspirations. I asked her, “if you believed in God, what three things would you want to ask for at this time?” And what are your favourite colours?

I turned her hopes into a painting. ‘Essence of Lucy’, working in an intuitive and loose style in acrylic with bold colours and sgraffito lines. Around the back of the painting I added a silk backing with favourite quotes and an envelope to add a record of favourite memories.

I wanted this painting to be an icon of hope to last the years. It really is just that and I am delighted, as is Lucy.

When Lucy moved I gave her the painting wrapped carefully in brown paper and asked her to open it when she was settled. She hadn’t seen the picture yet.

After a few days, I’d heard nothing and doubts crept it… what if she didn’t like it? 

And then finally she called, exclaiming “It’s a miracle!” She was thrilled because one of her dreams had been fulfilled; her daughter had unexpectedly been offered a place at the school around the corner, something which had looked impossible. Her painting took pride of place in her living room, which happened to be painted in a complementary colour.

Every now and then over the years she has messaged me to say she is looking at ‘Essence of Lucy” with a friend, and they are in tears. One recently said, “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”  Pictured here is Lucy with her Art and Soul painting in 2026, six years after it was first painted...