‘Mr Gilbert in his shop’ Oil on canvas. 16 x 24 inches ( Approx )
Every September in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, independent shops/businesses & local artists collaborate to promote each other.
The artists ‘Open Studios’ takes place at the same time.
This is the 5th year of ‘Art Windows’ and we have 28 mainly independent shops displaying local artists work in their shop windows for the whole of September. It’s a great event with a chance to win fantastic donated prizes to anyone who picks up a leaflet in the shop and enters the draw. All you have to do is identify 10 shops & artists taking part.
This year, for the first time, a wonderfully traditional shop on the High Street, called ‘Frank Gilbert’s’, is taking part in ‘Art Windows’. I have wanted an excuse to paint Mr Gilbert, who works in the shop with his lovely wife, for as long as I have lived locally. I am told he is the son of the original ‘Frank Gilbert’ and his father would I’m sure have been proud. Every day Mr Gilbert brings out his wares – baskets of every shape & size, mats, mugs, you name it and places them carefully around his shop and onto the pavement.
Upon entering the shop it becomes obvious why he does this! The shop is full to bursting with everything a house, particularly a kitchen, could possibly need. You would imagine this would make for a bad tempered shop keeper but Mr Gilbert & his wife are the sweetest people and it’s a pleasure to buy from them. Whatever you’re after they have it there… somewhere!
‘Mr Gilbert in his shop’ in my studio during the painting process.
‘Frank Gilbert’s’ on Market Harborough High Street.
Look out for ‘Mr Gilbert in his shop’ in ‘Frank Gilbert’s’ window during September 2013!
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