Many of my happy childhood memories are of times spent with my Dad. As a family we went on holiday to France each year and one year Dad helped us to design and make boats on the bank of the Dordogne. He made us the most incredible toy theatre complete with working stage lights and a fire curtain. Dad was the one who made elaborate sand sculptures on the beach for my brother and I. Dad invented new games to make the most dull car trip exciting. Dad drew funny faces on our boiled eggs at Easter and traipsed around numerous farms trying to find the biggest, bushiest tree for us at Christmas.
Throughout my life Dad has also nurtured my creative side, taking me to galleries, letting me borrow his oils, teaching me to paint with water colours and to draw with his rotring pens.
Six years ago my mum died and I was worried about how he would cope without her. They had been together since their early twenties and in his late fifties dad found himself alone. At 60 Dad decided that he would take the opportunity to do something he'd always wanted and put together a portfolio of work to apply for art school and a few months later he was offered a place to do a BA in Fine Art in London. He sailed through his degree, making new friends and creating a new life for himself along the way and now he is doing his Masters at the same college. I am so very proud of him and what he has achieved since losing my mum. He is not only a talented artist but a wonderful father and grandfather. Happy Father's Day Dad.
