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The venue was Ryfields Village. A home for the elderly where they can keep there total independence while being accommodated in individual flats with the added safety and peace of mind.
The sun was blazing and so the atmosphere was ideal. The residents and visitors were all in fine spirits.
The garden was a fine example of something I would ideally like for myself, with its main feature a wonderful pool about 20ft filled with Koi Carp.
Whilst wondering around waiting for my friends to do their thang :) I stumbled upon some very very fine art.
On chatting to the lady who was on the stall I discovered that she was actually the artist. The more we chatted the more embellished I got. The lady is a local artist called Pat Winnington. You may not of heard of her but you may well own a set of tea coasters or place mats that have copies of her fine paintings on. I was stunned at some of her fine works.
She told me that she had been painting since the age of 6 and had always drawn on her inner self for inspiration. She said that she had attended art classes but usually ended up becoming the teacher at most of them and finding them of no advantage to her own natural talent. Born in Pendleton and now living in Warrington she has not really travelled that far from her routes.
We discussed in detail about pastels, oils, acrylics and water colours and the difference a paint brush can make. It was a truly awe inspiring conversation.
Whilst most of us struggle to find what it is that we are good at Pat was a prime example of self belief and dedication. At a great age of 83 (tomorrow) she told me she still continued to paint and she had most of her work printed on lithographs for display. What she showed me was but a fraction of her work. I am truly in awe of this ladies talent and beliefs in herself. As she posed for me next to a painting she had done of her mother, you could see the resemblance without a doubt. Her mother passed at 92 and Pat told me she'd be happy if she carried on until that age as long as she was able to still paint.
What a wonderful delightful day.
I have been so lucky to have met this lady. If you get chance to go see her work I know you wouldn't be disappointed.
For an upcoming exhibition of this wonderfully talented artists work please go to the link below.
Some of her fine work will be auctioned off and all proceeds will be going to Diabetes UK
Dates 11-21 October
Auction 21 October 7pm
Pat Winnington
Art Auction
thegalleryatbankquayhouse
http://www.warrington.gov.uk/images/Exhibition%20programme%202010%20%282%29_tcm15-47067.pdf
