Super excited to announce my collaboration with the ArtCan organisation. I received news from the team yesterday. Some fantastic national exhibitions planned for 2019.ArtCan is my chosen non-profit organisation and I encourage you to support us wherever possible.ArtCan - ‘Enabling Artists to find their voice...
My recent cycling accident didn't stop me getting to the Clifford Chance Private View on Thursday :). Michael Petry's curation of the exhibition is excellent, the two companion Martine pieces were hung opposite the window which looks out on to the Olympic Park and Stadium,...
I have now finished the companion piece for the Martine Diptych. It has been quite a challenge, but I think I am there.The landscape painting I had originally planned did not work at all, I ended up painting a whole scene of the entire team,...
Fantastic day in the company of Martine's Team GB Women's Sitting Volleyball today, who were training. I met the whole team and they are all quite simply amazing.These ladies are incredible athletes and are all very talented and skillful players. The spirit of the team...
At last, I finished the painting on Sunday. It has been a bit of a journey to get here - I have painted Martine's portrait four times over before getting something I am happy with, as I wanted it to speak. All the previous versions...
I stretched, sized, primed and prepared the ground for both canvasses over Easter and have been getting to work on the Portrait of Martine. Having only the drawing to work from and a few reference snaps that are not much good (no colour definition), has...
I got the train to Tring from Euston and a taxi to Martine’s house, as Tring train station is handily out of town. Gorgeous countryside, so really enjoyed the journey. Arrived at Martine’s place, a little nervous and excited too and was greeted by her at...
Martine called me today and we had a good chat about life and stuff in general as well as the project and have agreed for me to go to visit her at her home in Tring after her team get back from playing some matches...
Good news! Karen Hung from Martine’s Roehampton club has been back in touch straight away to say she was seeing Martine last night and would pass on my email and proposal. I really hope she likes the idea; it would be amazing to meet her...
I contacted Michael today with my initial proposal for the work - Martine Wright, 7/7 survivor and Paralympic Athlete’s incredible story of survival and accomplishments, is an inspiration on so many levels. Martine sustained the worst injuries of all the survivors, losing both her legs in the attacks. However, she has re-built her life, a long and arduous task and has married, had a son, been skiing, learned to fly a plane, made a parachute jump and has spent the last three years training as a Paralympic Athlete in Women’s Sitting Volleyball.