There is something reassuring and deeply comforting about capturing a person’s life in words and pictures. It is best done with the involvement of the Storyteller themselves – telling their story, in their own words, sharing their reflections and perspective on what has gone before them. This is what we do at The Memory Shed. We capture the stories of a person’s life in a book, either by interviewing the person themselves or speaking to friends and family. Ensuring that lives are treasured beyond the grave and are remembered beyond the next generation.
Words often offer great comfort at a time of loss and can help us to process grief. Whether they are words that we write ourselves or words shared by others. It is well documented that journaling can support the grief process. People will often turn to writing in the aftermath of a loss; scribbling down a favourite anecdote or two before the memories inevitably fade. A helpful means of processing their loss. After Dad died, we received over one hundred and twenty sympathy cards. Some of the cards contained a simple, heartfelt message of condolence. All were deeply appreciated. But the ones that struck the greatest chord were those that included a memory or reflection on Dad that we hadn’t heard before. Snippets of Dad’s life that made us chuckle, roll our eyes in fond reflection and which drew a wry smile in our time of sadness. Two letters touched me in particular. One had been written by my father’s late neighbour’s son. He fondly reflected on the time our fathers had polished off an entire bottle of finest Penderyn whisky whilst willing a Welsh rugby win during one of the many Six Nations events they enjoyed watching together; and how fortuitous it had been that his Dad was wheelchair bound as a result of childhood polio because without his wheels, he would never have made it home. It immediately brought memories flooding back of how much Dad had enjoyed Ieuan’s company and indeed, how often they would chew the cud over something stronger than a coffee. Another letter talked about Dad’s inimitable and powerful voice. A voice that would be forever remembered. I hadn’t thought about Dad’s voice before reading those words but I have often reflected on the comment since and it has resonated deeply with me. His voice is one of the things I miss the most.
It struck me recently that words are not the only creative outlet to celebrate a life. Lives are being celebrated and immortalised in other ways too. I was delighted to be invited to my good friend Anna Clarke’s art exhibition in the Warwickshire town of Kenilworth a couple of weeks ago. She was exhibiting as part of the Warwickshire Open Studios Summer Art week – an annual event celebrating the work of over 400 artists over 16 days and across 143 venues in Warwickshire and Coventry. It was Anna’s first time exhibiting her work at this event, a huge accomplishment given that she has only recently transitioned into her new career as an artist, having left her 25+ year corporate career in late 2019.
Anna and I had been introduced during lockdown by the wonderful career coach at LHH (Lee Lecht Harrison), Adi Mechen, a warrior and flag-flyer for those looking for a change in career path. She intuitively knew that Anna and I were navigating a similar route – having enjoyed fulfilling careers in the corporate world but seeking to work in a more creative space. Whilst my passion lay in words and writing, Anna’s was rooted in painting, as well as a desire to extol the benefits of her Gut Health diet which had helped her recover from the debilitating effects of rheumatoid arthritis. What Anna and I had not foreseen was that our connection would run deeper than a career transition. Just before we met, Anna had lost her own dear father to cancer in late 2019. Within weeks of us meeting, my father received his terminal cancer prognosis. Whilst I processed the news by taking to the keyboard and capturing Dad’s life in a book, Anna picked up her paintbrush and started to capture her Dad’s memories through painting.
Anna’s career has enabled her to channel her artistic creativity, having latterly worked as Head of Design & Purchasing on Sainsbury’s TU clothing brand. It wasn’t until 2021 that she focused solely on her painting again; this time embarking on a painting course at the St Ives School of painting, located at Porthmeor studios – a fitting location given the years she has spent holidaying with her family there. In her words, the studios offered “a view of the ocean from every window.”
Anna’s artistic style draws upon her love of light and the open sea which she conveys through her artwork using a blend of texture, patterns and colour. The artwork on display at her gallery was both impressive for its originality but I also found it hugely appealing having grown up by the sea myself. The highlight for me however was the eye-catching display standing proud in the centre of her studio. It featured a collection of her late father’s clothing which she had painted using scenes from treasured family sailing holidays in Salcombe, Devon. Anna explained to me, “As part of my one year course at Porthmeor, we were advised to have a creative practice that was ongoing in the background of our coursework. It felt like the absolute natural thing for me to do because we were clearing out Dad’s clothes at the time and making those horrible decisions around what we should send to charity. There were so many I couldn’t bear parting with. I didn’t want anyone else to wear them. This was how the idea came about. I would use the clothing to treasure the memories Dad and I shared of our mutual love of sailing.”
Having lost her father so close to the first Covid lockdown, Anna reflected that she had simply not found the time to process her grief. However, spending time alone in her art studio painting his clothes had offered her profound solace and a space to fondly reflect on everything he had stood for, but in particular recall the joyous holidays they had enjoyed together over many years.
From September, Anna will be offering others the opportunity to use art in a therapeutic way, to help process grief or for any other form of therapy. I had taken a few garments of Dad’s along to Anna’s art exhibition and we had a chat about what I might paint on them. Dad’s passions were wine and rugby, but he did also have a deep love of Aberystwyth, with its glorious views across Cardigan bay. It’s possibly what prompted him to acquire a small fishing boat during my early childhood. Nothing would delight us more than spending an afternoon mackerel fishing on Dad’s boat, bobbing up and down for hours waiting for a tug on the line.
I have earmarked an old rugby polo shirt and blue shirt as potential canvasses. The next task is to sift through a few photographs to see if I can identify the inspiration for the painting. One thing is for certain, I shall refrain from letting myself near a brush for the painting process itself. Anna will be far better placed to depict Dad’s memory on his clothing than me. I shall stick to words – they are far easier to edit!
If you are interested in hearing more about Anna’s story and business in art and gut health, please do visit her website: www.annaclarke.co.uk
A special thankyou also to Ana, a fabulous product photographer who kindly shared some pictures from Anna’s event.
Ana can be found at www.anafrantzphotography.com
