Getting up to date

A lot has happened over the last couple of years. My wife Pam and I have relocated to Devon and we've been working hard on our new home and the art business, as well as creating new ideas and dreams. New works have been coming along. A lot of research out and about exploring new locations for new work has kept us busy. In addition, looking into different avenues including prints, limited runs and all the rest as well as rebuilding this website and creating the new 'Prints Only' website.

'Life' has also been happening. There have been some fantastic times and some shatteringly sad times. Many of you will know that we have two dogs: Arthur the working cocker Spaniel and Boo the Labrador; indeed many of you will have met them on our walks and at exhibitions.

Unfortunately both Boo and Arthur have passed. Boo left us just a few days before we moved to Devon. Needless to say it was heartbreaking to lose her at the point when we were hoping she would be able to see out her final days with lovely walks on the beach and sunny days playing in the sea which she always loved so much. It wasn't to be. In October of 2020, at 13 years and 7 months old, Boo passed away in my arms. What heartbreak, loosing her was just so hard.

The move went ahead without our beautiful Boo and that left us all with a lot of adjusting to do, not least of all, Arthur. He had shared his life with Boo from the day I brought him home as a tiny puppy.

Earlier this year we lost Arthur. On the 5th February this year I had to make the awful decision to let Arthur go to sleep for the last time. He was 12 years and 6 months old. He became ill, and things just happened so fast.

He went to sleep in my arms and my heart broke. He was my best friend and my constant companion for his whole life. This has been a massive struggle for me to come to terms with, and to be quite honest, I still haven't.

Some say that losing a 'pet' can be be as distressing as 'losing a loved one'. Arthur wasn't a 'pet', neither was Boo, they were both 'a loved one' and I miss them both each and every day. Each time I pick up a brush, there is a space where a happy furry face used to be, encouraging me and keeping a watchful eye.

I hope you don't mind my going off tangent in my Blog. It is supposed to be about my art, but my art is a part of my life, and the happenings in my life inform my art, so I felt you would be OK with this slight diversion.

I wanted to take a moment and pay tribute to my two wonderful, amazing, beautiful companions. I will remember them for ever, they will always be present with me in my heart.

Speak soon,

Chris.

In this section, Arthur as a puppy, when I had just collected him. Boo, with my granddaughter Taya. And Arthur with his friend Elsie the chicken.

In this section:

My best friend and I.

Arthur & Boo; best buddies for ever.

When.........

I took a picture of this beautiful little poem at the pet crematorium. I would like to say 'thank you and bless you' to Amy and Bob at Peace Lily's Pet Crematorium. You made a heartbreaking time so much more personal and bearable than it might otherwise have been.