Stories to warm your heart (and tickle your funny bone!)

In Today's Art Blog

1) How a swan brought peace to an 87-year-old yogi

2) A film that left me in awe of the human spirit. Highly recommend!

3) Some stories are pure magic! They make you believe that dreams can come true in the most unexpected ways.

4) A Classic That’s Stood the Test of Time.

5) Some things are simply meant to be together...

6) Life's too short not to giggle...if you've ever had 'one of those days', read on...

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How a Swan Brought peace to an 87-year-old 'Yogi'.

Sometimes, a painting finds its home in the most unexpected and beautiful way.

"Serenity’s Glide" a painting I had on display at an Italian café in Stratford recently found her forever home in the most delightful way.

A lady phoned me to say she wanted to buy the painting. The cafe being new to me, weren't sure how I would want payment. Luckily the lady lives just around the corner from the cafe, so I collected the painting and hand-delivered it to her. She didn’t have enough cash, and I didn’t have my card reader, so I agreed to leave the painting with her (too trusting? Perhaps!) I’m often in Stratford, so I told her I’d pop back another day to collect payment.

A few days later she called to say she had the money ready.

Today, I went to collect it, expecting an envelope to be thrust into my hand on the doorstep. But no! With her lipstick perfected and beautifully dressed, she invited me inside her gorgeous home.

As we chatted, she shared how she first saw my swan. Her four granddaughters, who all live in different parts of the world, had secretly arranged to visit her. On the day of their arrival, they knocked on her door one-by-one, giving her the most heartwarming surprise! And they had booked a table at the little Italian café where my work was hanging.

Already elated to see her lovely Grand-daugters; while they were ordering, she sat quietly at a table, looked up, and saw "Serenity’s Glide." She told me it instantly instilled in her a feeling of peace. She pondered her decision to buy it and over the weekend, decided she needed the painting in her life! On Monday she returned to the cafe to buy it.

We chatted about my own journey into painting. How surviving cancer gave me the push to try to sell my work professionally, while I still could. She shared that, at 87, she is so grateful to still be able to walk freely (she looks amazing!). I told her how, after Doctors had told me I'd probably use a stick for the rest of my life, my stubborn-self took over, determined to find another way. It was yoga-based stretching that had helped me walk again after treatment, and she smiled, she practises yoga daily too!

Our love of life and being grateful for every day we walk unaided and without pain is a mutual share.

She kindly asked if I'd like to see where the painting is placed. Of course! Then she excitedly lead me upstairs to show me. It's exactly where she can see it every day while she does her yoga! She told me, to see it first thing, brings peace into her world every day.

Highly honoured, I thought to myself: this is exactly why I paint.

Swan Prints available here

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Things I found meaningful this week...

🎨 A film that left me in absolute awe of the human spirit;

Irina's Vow (2023)

The film tells the remarkable true story of Irena Gut Opdyke, a young nurse in Nazi-occupied Poland who risked everything to hide 12 Jews in the basement of a Nazi officer’s villa, all while working for him! 

Do you ever think about the nature of bravery? How it’s rarely loud or showy, but often quiet, persistent, and driven by love. Irena’s story is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, one person’s courage can change the course of many lives.

 

The film ends with the real life Irina meeting the child of one of the people she saved. I won't spoil the film for you but it was down to Irina's courage that he was even born!

The same quality I often see in the people who collect my paintings. A deep appreciation for beauty, a tenderness for life’s fleeting moments, and the courage to surround themselves with what truly matters.

 

Which brings me to my most recent horse painting. It’s ready to ship, and for me, the way the horse stands proud also captures the spirit of resilience and grace; the way she's poised, beautiful and enduring, gazing out across the fields despite being tethered.

📖 Some stories are pure magic. They make you believe that dreams can come true in the most unexpected ways.

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A Book I’ve Loved (and Loved Again)–

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

An all-time favourite book; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I first read it as a child and have re-read it several times in adulthood.

 

My love for books began when my parents took my brother and I to the library once a week. The excitement of choosing a whole stack of books, for free, was pure magic for a family that didn’t have much at the time. I can still remember the overwhelming smell of “real books” (something Kindle readers miss out on!) and the frustration of knowing there were more stories than I could ever read fast enough.

An all-time favourite book; Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I first read it as a child and have re-read it several times in adulthood.

 

My love for books began when my parents took my brother and I to the library once a week. The excitement of choosing a whole stack of books, for free, was pure magic for a family that didn’t have much at the time. I can still remember the overwhelming smell of “real books” (something Kindle readers miss out on!) and the frustration of knowing there were more stories than I could ever read fast enough.

Our Manor wasn’t made of chocolate, of course, but it was every bit as enchanting to me as Willy Wonka’s factory was to Charlie. It’s funny how childhood dreams have a way of finding their form in our lives, even if only for a little while.

 

Perhaps that’s why I love creating art so much. Putting a little spark of magic into each painting, waiting hopefully to bring wonder into someone else’s world.

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A Classic That's Stood the Test of Time

 

Nostalgia has been running through my thoughts this week; in films, books and in art.Perhaps that’s why I felt drawn to feature this original oil painting of a Classic Dodge Truck.This beautiful, classic was parked along the seafront in Penzance. With salt in the air, the sound of the waves and soft Cornish light falling across its polished curves. It was as if time had slowed.

There's something quietly courageous about it. A vintage beauty which has clearly seen many roads, endured many seasons, yet still stands the test of time, proud and dignified. Like the stories we’ve shared in this newsletter. Of people and places that carry their history with grace, and of how true character deepens with time.This framed painting now waits for the right home, one that treasures the blend of resilience and nostalgia it holds.

I’m open to thoughtful offers; not because I’m in a hurry to part with it, but because I believe in letting my paintings find the people they’re meant for.👉 If this piece stirs a memory or feeling in you, I’d love to hear from you. Email me here

 

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Some things are simply meant to be together…

When I first introduced my new cushion collection, I was curious to see which design would capture hearts. It turned out to be 'Majestic Resolve — the stag, reimagined.'  A creature of quiet strength, courage, and timeless grace.My very first cushion customer left the loveliest review about him… and then, immediately, came back for what she called “his brother” another stag cushion, completing the pair.

There’s something about stags that feels eternal. They stand tall through the changing seasons, their presence a symbol of endurance, nobility, and beauty that never fades.It makes me smile to know that these two stags now share a home, side by side. A perfect reminder of how some things are simply meant to be together.Majestic resolve - the stag cushion.

Nikki's Cushion Review:-

"Having previous bought the print I couldn’t resist the cushion for the lounge. The quality of the print and the faux suede fabric exceeds expectations - it’s a luxury product. So much so … I’ve had to order the other stag cushion to keep him company. 

Thank you Lorraine - you amazingly talented artist 💖"

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Life's too short not to giggle..

(If You've Ever Had 'One of those days', I get you!)

If today hasn’t gone quite as smoothly as you hoped, you’re in good company.This morning began with two pairs of reading glasses perched on my head, because obviously, the first pair had gone “missing” (for the record, after 20 minutes of searching, they’d been there the whole time).Next there was the kitchen bin lid incident. Following my spiffing housekeeping, yesterday, giving my kitchen bin a thoroughly good wash,  I put it outside to dry in the beautiful sunshine. But this morning, I could NOT find the bin lid! I was totally baffled about who on earth would steal a bin lid…! Until I realised it was safely at the bottomof the bin, hidden under the new bin bag I'd put in. A trip into town brought another moment of glory. So organised was I with taking all my parcels to the Post Office, I drove off wearing flip-flops (illegal here in the U.K.) so there was a quick roadside footwear change. And to top it off, I treated my old car to a 'proper wash' in a (grown up's) car wash, only to discover at the end of the cycle that the belt of my dress had been hanging out of the door the whole time, leaving it soaked through in a way that gave entirely the wrong impression (think Bridget Jones).So if you’ve ever had one of those days, where nothing is quite perfect, but you keep going anyway, remember this: perfection is overrated, and little mishaps are part of life's rich tapestry!