This is a photograph of me with my Grandad, Bill, taken on my wedding day, just over 7 years ago. This week, I traveled to Exeter for his funeral ceremony and a thanksgiving service. It was a few days of mixed emotions - sad that a dear family member had passed away but joyful in gathering with other members of his family and friends to celebrate a life which he lived to the full.
An architect by profession, he was an extremely gifted craftsman and artist. I certainly admired him and was influenced by him in my decision to study architecture at Liverpool. Bill has to take a great deal of credit for my current work as a watercolour artist. Each time I visited his home I would spend a great deal of time taking in his artwork which was displayed on the walls and carefully listen to him as he explained about the latest paintings that he was working on. I would often go into his studio on my own and look at all his artists equipment - paints, brushes, sketchbooks, paper and pencils. I can still remember that distinctive smell of the paints filling the air.
I will always remember the set of watercolour paints and brushes that he bought me as a gift one birthday - that was the start of my passion for painting. I always wanted to go and paint on-location with Grandad but unfortunately I never got the chance. At the services this week it was clear from the words spoken about him that he was a man who knew where he was going after his passing and I like to think that where he is now, there are some pretty awesome landscapes to paint. Maybe I'll get my chance to paint with him one day after all.
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