Today my mother in law Vi came after her lunch out to visit the studio and she had said that she would try drawing. This is not something that I have ever known her to do since I first met her in 1992. Vi also has macular degeneration which means her sight is very limited, it is like having a hole in the centre of your vision and only able to see around the edges.
So for her to have a go today was very special. She had a very concentrated expression when deciding what to draw. She decided on a tree picture linked to my original piece ‘Summer leaves’ which is on display on the wall above the table where she sat inside the shop.
I sat next to her and assists with marker selection and removal of lids.
She was quite dismissive of her drawing but had been focused while doing it and seemed to enjoy the exercise. Do I leave it with you? I was asked. I explained that no, the picture was hers to take and keep in her room.
After Vi had participated I changed my poster and window script to reflect the new age range that have taken part in ‘Art for fun’ so far.
Oh yes, I forgot to say, prior to today the oldest participant had been 86 years old. As the youngest we have had are two 15 month olds I added Vi’s age in months too – 1207.
Yes, she was 100 in March 2022 – yes, she received a card from Queen Elizabeth II.
So now the inclusivity of ‘Art for fun’ has increased dramatically and it was a lovely opportunity to offer Vi this chance to draw.