This gouache-on-paper painting dates from my time at Batley School of Art, 1967-1969, and I’m guessing that this was Christmas 1968. I remember my Dad grumbling that although people had been invited for seven, they had yet to turn up as it approached eight.
“They’ll be watching The Val Doonican Show!”
I was frustrated at my ineptitude when I painted this but, looking back at it now, I love the awkwardness of it and I wish that I’d done more paintings of the people around me. I made a sketch in pencil, which I’ve still got somewhere, and worked this up, most probably at college. The black may well be poster paint. It wasn’t until my time at Leeds that I made a start with watercolours.
The kidney-shaped coffee table and the hand-turned lamp base were designed and made by my Mum at Mr Bailey’s evening class in the secondary school woodwork workshop in School Yard, by the gates of St Peter’s Junior School.
It’s good to see Thelma Littlewood posing so elegantly, wine glass in hand. Mr Littlewood, as usual, looks a little reserved. Is that supposed to be their son Adrian with the half pint? Perhaps I’d be able to identify the figure if I looked out the original sketch.
Even from this back view, I can tell that my Dad, looking relaxed and genial in his cardigan, is launching into an animated conversation. As you might be able to tell, he trimmed his own hair with clippers.
The glow of the lamp on the pianola and the brilliant white gloss-painted door instantly bring back memories of those drinks-and-nibbles gatherings. I probably reached for those salted peanuts several times during the course of making my drawing. Very often there’d be party games, such as the Drawing Game, but I suspect this was meant to be a more sophisticated social soiree.
Richard, my heart is full at your description of both the event and the drawing and the love for those involved. what a treasure to share with us. and so enjoy reading about your very capable mum.
These last couple of posts are interesting. It sounds like your mum was artistic and interesting Richard. Lovely memories captured by you. Thank you for sharing.
You’re right Richard, it does bring back memories ……. though I wasn’t aware at the time of how miserable everyone appeared to be! Maybe the “good old days” is a myth? I also remember Mum’s account of how she asked Mr Bailey if he would come and look at her legs. Fortunately he realised she had a query about the coffee table.
The glumness was probably because there were no Twiglets amongst the nibbles.