Cat's Eye Carving

Downing Street Visit.

As a finalist of the Small Awards, I was pleased to be invited to a reception at No. 11 Downing Street.

I decided to take this opportunity to visit some of the galleries before the late afternoon appointment.

Although I stopped briefly at the Tate Britain, I wanted to see these beautiful charcoal drawings in the National Gallery. I spent two hours drawing in here.

On my way down to Downing Street, I didn’t have time to stop and draw this magnificent character on one of the buildings. We had to wait for half an hour before we could enter, obviously I had to take a photo outside No. 10 and Larry the cat had the right idea, chilling out under one of the cars.

We weren’t allowed to take any photos inside No. 11, but I did some sketching.

It was very hot inside, thankfully I had brought my fan, here are some of the official photos.

I shook Rachel Reeves hand and invited her and her family to Sandwich to come and have a go at stone carving.

She had said in the introduction that she had decorated the room with Women artists work, so I said if she needs any more, I am an artist too and that I take commissions.

I will be entering the Duke of Gloucester’s Gold award for stonemasonry excellence next, this is organised by the Worshipful Company of Masons…fingers crossed.