So much has happened in 2015. I became a director of kookooshaboo Ltd (not-for-profit company) a long with two of my very good friends and fellow artists, Ann and Kate. We have been working with schools and community groups across the midlands on various creative projects. Early last year we approached Rugby Borough Council with an idea to create five large-scale sculptures to celebrate the Rugby World Cup. They loved the idea and commissioned us to run the project – ‘Rugby’s Got Balls’. The initiative aims was to develop, promote, and deliver high quality public art that was exciting, innovative and fun, celebrating Rugby’s unique ‘Proud Home’ status. I also had the opportunity to design and paint one of the sculptures – this one currently stands outside the Rugby Art Gallery & Museum. The project was an enormous success and in December we won a national accolade from the Fields in Trust, for the community sculpture. All the hard work was worth it in the end 🙂
Another standout moment last year was that two of my paintings were selected for the Rugby Open. The special rugby football open exhibition (for the Rugby World Cup) was on from September 2015 – January 2016.
Creating these pieces for the Rugby Open along with my passion for the game of rugby, inspired me to paint three more portrait paintings of rugby players – Joe Marler, Mike Brown and Richie McCaw. In December last year I was delighted to meet Joe and Mike at Twickenham and they signed the paintings, eek! 🙂 I was also very honoured to be commissioned by Joe Marler himself to paint a portrait of his son. This year I am planning to continue the rugby theme and have my first solo exhibition in Autumn. I will be raising money for the very worthy charity the Matt Hampson Foundation at the same time. Watch this space!!