Art of the Community

Since 2020, local artist Stephen Graham has created dozens of beautiful watercolour paintings taken straight from his imagination. With characteristic vibrant colours and distinct inked outlines, his style is both unique and beautiful to look at. But perhaps most importantly, each one of his pieces has a strong, resonant message behind it. With his first exhibition launched in December 2022, the future is certainly looking bright for Stephen and his artwork.

The isolating boredom of lockdown provided a perfect opportunity for Stephen to reengage with drawing and painting. Whilst art had been a passion since his days at school, adult life simply got in the way once leaving the government scheme he took part in aged 16, and his artistic career stopped. “My desire to draw and paint never diminished,” he explains, “but I was just too busy working and with children.

“When life became so dull during COVID, I decided to open up a watercolour set I received as a gift over 15 years ago. It had never been used but, as soon as I took it out and began to paint, everything opened back up again.

“I just drew from my imagination – I suppose I always have done, even back at school. Still life just doesn’t captivate me enough, I’d much rather draw something that’s not real or illusionary and pour the thoughts from out of my head onto the paper. I think that’s the hardest thing about it, because with a still life it’s right there in front of you, but when you draw from your imagination it’s not. I don’t always get the sketch right the first time, and I may do it five times until I get it to where I want it to be, but that’s art: you don’t always get it right at first and, ultimately, that’s ok.”

Living with osteoarthritis hasn’t been easy for him, though his infectious positivity shines.

A lot of Stephen’s work has a meaning, whether that be about the planet, love, social issues, or life as a whole. His original painting, which hangs proudly in his hallway, is perhaps the best example of this. Titled ‘Happy Days’, it centres around the liberation and freedom brought about by the Hippie Revolution, an era which he feels was much happier than today.

“Because everything I do is from my own personal thoughts, there’s always that bit of added depth,” he explains, “and so I hope that my work not only gives people interest, but that it makes them more aware of the social problems our world today has. There’s a story like that to each and every one.”

“if all us artists in the area came together, we really could achieve something big and help those in need”

From a young age, Stephen has had problems with his joints. Living with osteoarthritis hasn’t been easy for him, though his infectious positivity shines. In late 2022, Stephen received his fourth artificial joint, this time on his right shoulder. “It was my drawing arm, so naturally I was a little worried,” he explains, “but the surgery has actually benefitted me and my artwork significantly. Now that I’m getting strength back, my movement is a lot better – I no longer have to deal with it locking or clicking, caused by the degeneration of the bone, so now I can draw and paint smoothly!”

Back in December 2022, Stephen held his first exhibition at Barnoldswick Library. “It was the first time I put myself out there like that,” he says, “and it’s thanks to friends, family, and particularly my daughter, Faye, who encouraged me to do so. They were the ones who made me feel that my work was good enough for people out in the world to see.” One of the best things about Stephen’s artwork is its potential to have a real lasting impact on people. He was eager to explain his desire to one day organise an ‘art auction’, which would see local artists each donate a piece to be auctioned off to raise money for charities in the wider community.

“I’m always eager to find ways to help our community and benefit us all,” he explains, “and so if all us artists in the area came together, we really could achieve something big and help those in need. It’s just a case of getting the message out there and finding people willing to give up their time.”

There has also been a rather profound effect on Stephen himself. “Living on my own during the Covid Lockdown, before Faye came to live with me, was really quite isolating,” he recounts. “Art has given me inspiration; it has kept me busy during a really hard time in all our lives and has stopped me from spiralling into a depression.

“My art is not a business or commercial enterprise: I’m not bothered about making money. It’s really just about keeping my mind and myself occupied. We all get understandably blinkered by our jobs, but ultimately there is so much more to life than just money and work. In my case, I’ve been ambitious and ended up with not a lot of money but with life experience, and personally I think that is far more valuable.”

 

 

 

Stephen’s message is simple: art can go a long way in making people’s lives a bit more liveable. Not only has creating art proven to have a wonderful power to help spread solidarity throughout our local community, but it has helped keep him occupied throughout the challenges of lockdown.

Now retired, art can once again be something Stephen is dedicated too. It’s enjoyable, it’s creative, it’s extremely liberating, but the best part is that it provides him with an outlet to spread those all-important and ever-prominent messages of inclusion, togetherness, and awareness.

Contact Stephen at aluna-inspired@hotmail.com

ColneLife Spring 23