City Church Portraits
It’s a real privilege to paint a Portrait of a Friend. In 2014 I painted a series of portraits of City Church members. These were to hang in the atrium of the CastleGate. One of the portraits was of a gentleman called Leon Le Dune. He sadly passed away earlier this month. Leon sat for me several times in my studio so that I could paint his portrait from life. You can read more about these portraits and see a photograph of Leon on an older blog post.
Several months later after I completed Leon’s portrait, he and his wife Linda came on the first of several Painting Holidays in Umbria, Italy which we ran. We were able to get to know them both very well. They both became very much a part of the holiday. Leon would play the grand piano in the evenings for the guests. On one occasion, I painted a sketchbook watercolour of Leon as he played the piano. This became the inspiration for a much larger watercolour which I titled “Worship”. The painting featured various objects that are in the living room of Chiesa Del Carmine which can be used for meditation and reflection.
Worship
Leon was a wonderful man of God who inspired so many with his clear christ like character, love, warmth and wisdom. He always took a great interest in you and at the same time, was fascinating to listen to. It was Leon who inspired me to learn to play the piano at the age of 54, and I’m so glad I did.
He and Linda loved to come and visit us and to view my new paintings. Susan would often make cheese scones for them which Leon loved. The last time we saw him was in the home where he spent the last year or so of his life. Susan baked Leon a cheese scone which he tucked into straight away with a cup of tea. We are sad that Leon is no longer with us, but we know that we will see him again one day. We thank God for his friendship and I’m thankful that we have a Portrait of a Friend.