FAREWELL TO STOCKEVIK
In memoriam Marianne Kelso.
68 x 91cm Oil on gessoed panel/Private collection
In 2019, my Swedish wife Marianne and I, were on holiday in Stockevik on the west coast of Sweden. We were staying at her sister’s summer house as we’d often done. One day, we wondered how many more vacations we’d have there. From this came the idea of a making a gift for our hosts, a thank-you, a memento. We thought a painting would suit. I did some sketches, took photos. And that was that, no hurry, no pressure. Back home in Watlington I began work. The year turned. Tragically, in February MK was diagnosed terminally ill. She passed away in June 2020. She was an exceptional person, truly exceptional. And exceptionally observant. She knew I liked to read ‘self-improving’ books. One day she said: ‘Well, obviously they don’t work.’ For 55 years I was cocooned in a gastro universe of Anglo Skandi civilisation and culture, with her the singularity at its core. A transparent, observable, expanding world filled with friendship, kindness, compassion, goodwill, wisdom, humour, calm, comfort, competence, companionship, courtesy and love, abundant love. At the still point of this turning world she stood, drenchingly beautiful, becomingly modest, a radiant supernova, an event without horizon, light energy itself, unfathomable, full of laughter, with the bluest of knowing blue eyes, a smile that ignited candles, and an urbane wit that could rivet girders. She once said: ‘By the way, in case you’re searching for it, I’ve thrown out your Thesaurus.’ 55 years married wasn’t enough, not nearly enough, nowhere near enough.
[email protected] - 07881 908903
GALLERY
In memoriam Marianne Kelso.
68 x 91cm Oil on gessoed panel/Private collection
In 2019, my Swedish wife Marianne and I, were on holiday in Stockevik on the west coast of Sweden. We were staying at her sister’s summer house as we’d often done. One day, we wondered how many more vacations we’d have there. From this came the idea of a making a gift for our hosts, a thank-you, a memento. We thought a painting would suit. I did some sketches, took photos. And that was that, no hurry, no pressure. Back home in Watlington I began work. The year turned. Tragically, in February MK was diagnosed terminally ill. She passed away in June 2020. She was an exceptional person, truly exceptional. And exceptionally observant. She knew I liked to read ‘self-improving’ books. One day she said: ‘Well, obviously they don’t work.’ For 55 years I was cocooned in a gastro universe of Anglo Skandi civilisation and culture, with her the singularity at its core. A transparent, observable, expanding world filled with friendship, kindness, compassion, goodwill, wisdom, humour, calm, comfort, competence, companionship, courtesy and love, abundant love. At the still point of this turning world she stood, drenchingly beautiful, becomingly modest, a radiant supernova, an event without horizon, light energy itself, unfathomable, full of laughter, with the bluest of knowing blue eyes, a smile that ignited candles, and an urbane wit that could rivet girders. She once said: ‘By the way, in case you’re searching for it, I’ve thrown out your Thesaurus.’ 55 years married wasn’t enough, not nearly enough, nowhere near enough.
[email protected] - 07881 908903
GALLERY