Painting a Legacy
The artful commemoration of a Regal Coronation
Ah, the summer of '23 brought forth a delightful challenge from the Northway Parish Council. Picture this: over 240 pieces of art, crafted by the talented children of the parish, all to celebrate the Coronation of King Charles III. Each child poured their creativity into a chosen word, and one budding artist even graced us with a drawing of Buckingham Palace.
Now, the Council, proud as can be of all the hard work, didn't want these treasures tucked away and forgotten once the Coronation weekend had passed by. So, Sandra, one of the Councillors visited my studio to chat through some ideas. As I surveyed the artistic bounty laid out before me, the task seemed a tad daunting. Scanning in each piece would take time, but we dove in nonetheless.
As we pondered the best way to showcase this gallery of youthful brilliance, a cheeky vision emerged. What if we made the Buckingham Palace sketch the centrepiece, adorned with graffiti-style decorations of all the chosen words? The whole Council loved the idea, and suddenly, the hours of scanning transformed into a labour of love.
Crafting this piece involved a detailed process, where each individual artwork was meticulously scanned and the background digitally removed. These pieces were then seamlessly incorporated into the larger sketch of the Palace. Colours were adjusted for a cohesive look, and sizes were resized to fit the composition.
The final artwork was printed on fine art paper (thanks The Photo Studio - Tewkesbury), framed in a specially crafted frame (thanks Cotswold Framers), and coated with the initial layer of clear resin for a glossy finish. After the resin dried, I added subtle embellishments by hand, with pastels, coloured pencils and fine liner.
A second layer of resin was carefully applied over the entire painting, providing a sense of depth and dimension. After curing, a final touch of opulence was added with the application of gold leaf, introducing a captivating sparkle to the piece. While each step carried its own set of risks and required time, the result is a multi-layered artwork that is captivating from all angles.
I truly admire the council's forward-thinking approach, recognising the profound impact of nurturing creativity in young minds. The joy of witnessing their collaborative masterpiece proudly showcased on the wall of their community hub will undoubtedly linger in their memories for years to come.
As adults, it becomes our responsibility to champion creativity in all its forms. It's a life skill that often goes underestimated when considering its role in well-being, connectivity, expression, problem-solving, and beyond. The enduring value of fostering creativity extends far beyond the unveiling day, shaping these young individuals into resourceful and expressive contributors to their community is something everyone can be proud of. Well done Northway!
