I discovered the stone angel standing in a Sketty graveyard as I wandered through on my way to an Alexander lesson, with a friend Tim Soar. There were a number of statues guarding time, in the long grass……lives and their history forgotten. This statue drew me too her, she shone out as the rain began to touch her shoulders. Hope and optimism radiated…….I felt the need to paint her.

I do not know if she still stands there….it must been over 25 years ago….. I will probably wander back to see….but the painting when I lifted it from the folder rekindled something special. A rush of emotion from a time when life was improving,  new friendships with special people….. memories float down of sharing tea and gardens with Tim and Siriol…..Chatter in the changing rooms before Aikido……

There would be many exciting times ahead…..and in those moment as I walked past the Angel each week there was hope