Wallis & Wallis, or the Old Co-op, Lewes

initial sketch of the old co op

all drawn out and ready to paint

I went for a  1920s theme to my characters

The Old Co-op building in Lewes built in 1907 still exists thankfully, narrowly escaping a second world war bombing which wiped out rows of cottages in front and behind. I imagine the building may have lost the very top of its fairy tale tower at this time.
I have drawn what I imagine when I look at the buildings...how they may have looked, and how life may have gone on around them. Nothing is real.
I heard stories that there used to be dances in the barn at the back. The building is now occupied by Wallis and Wallis Auctioneers, and the parents of one of the ladies that works there now actually met at a dance there. The lady that works there now also met her own husband, not at the dance, but at the Auctioneers. The building obviously has some charm and the ability to bring people together!
The co op had a cash train, that ran across the ceiling from the pay point up to the cashiers office, and would be returned again to the customer with change inside. Pity it isnt there now!

Two Weddings...two different decades

 1964 wedding

1989 wedding

It has been a time for special anniversaries! Here are a couple of commissions painted from old wedding photographs and separate images of the churches...

All done at The Dorset, Lewes

first the browns

then the greens and purple bring it colour

finally the people bring it alive

all finished at the Dorset Arms! The pub has been brought to life with Morris Dancers and people sitting out side enjoying some good old British sunshine.

Doing the Dorset Arms, Lewes

sketched out the pub and splashed on the colour

and now for the drawing on heavy paper

close up on the drinkers, more Morris Men!

For my next Lewes painting I have chosen to paint The Dorset Arms which nestles at the end of Malling Street under the Downs.
I think this pub was probably a very lucky survivor, the street immediatel to it's north was closed off and buildings demolished for the building of the new road, bridge and Cuilfail tunnel.
The Dorset gets its name from the Dukes of Dorset that originally were the landowners of the manor of Cliffe and the Coat of Arms shows leopards holding a shield, which gave the Dorset Arms its original name of The Cats.

Anyway, enough drawing, now it is time to play with paint!

A Bespoke Corporate Christmas Card

initial sketch 

 then it's all drawn out and the very first layers of colour go on, white on white!...

And finished! A couple of seagulls and an extra person added, oh and Father Christmas of course!

Ice skating at The Pells, Charity Christmas card

Here it is, all finished and gone off for printing. I hope Lewes will have somewhere to sell this card for good causes soon! : )

The Railway Land Dogs' Club is published!

the book has arrived! Here is a review from today's Sussex Express.