The BP Portrait Award is an event I hold in the highest regard. I adore portraiture and the ability portraits have to capture a moment in the subjects life. To be included in this year's exhibition is an honour and has spurred me on creatively to follow further portraiture projects.. so watch this space.

The painting 'Mrs Damon & Mrs Healey' captures a moment in time in the lives of two elderly women. I was at the hairdressers and whilst sitting reading a magazine I heardtwo ladies behind me chatting. They were giggling like a couple of schoolgirls,so free and full of life; their laughter and gossip belied their age. I hope the viewer will feel included in their conversation; to wonder what they are saying, what’s in the envelope…..just as I did. My reflection is painted into the hood dryer. 

I asked their permission to take some brief sketches and notes and some referencephotos and asked for their names. True to traditional form they replied "Mrs Damon and Mrs Healey' and fell about in fits of giggles again when I explained that I wanted to paint their portrait they were both delighted, especially Mrs Damon.

I returned later to Ditton Klippers to complete further details of the salon and asked the owner how the two ladies were. Unfortunately, I was informed that Mrs Damon had passed away. However, I am glad to have captured her in a painting that shows her so full of vitality and joy and hope her relatives and friends see this too.