I was pleased to take part last week in a charity event I helped organise at Shaw Hill Golf Club. Hayley Wright, owner of The Secret Closet, staged a fabulous show with models from among the glamorous lady members wearing some gorgeous outfits for spring and summer. Over £700 was raised for Inspire Youth Zone Chorley and 15 stall holders contributed to the night providing some overdue retail therapy for the 140 guests, with gifts, jewellery, accessories, cards and (guess what) paintings – by Heapey Gallery non other!

Also there, taking amazing photos, was Ian Fletcher of ISF Photography, who donated his services to the cause, and took this great shot for me as well.

Here’s what happened at my first ever solo art exhibition at Town Mill Galleries in my home town, Lyme Regis, Dorset.

I travelled down in a hired van driven by my son, Connor, on Wednesday 25th August, with paintings piled high, and we were met by my sister Gilly at the Town Mill Gallery, ready to help unload and set up (after a 5 hour drive).

Next day was the launch event at 10am with family and invited guests, and even the mayor to open it officially! Also pictured here with me, Gilly and Connor in the photo are my Uncle Tony and cousin Simon Hewlett (father and brother of Jamie Hewlett of Gorillaz fame). I last saw them six years ago at Jamie’s first solo exhibition in the Saatchi Gallery, London. My friends at ‘Lyme Online’ were very supportive with advertising and promotion prior to the event.

Within the first half hour I had sold the large original of Lyme Regis and 4 limited edition prints of the same piece, and by the end of Day One three other originals – Rock Pools, The Shallows, and Docklands – so 8 pieces in all. Fantastic!

The original of my Lyme Regis painting was snapped up by a local couple, which got things off to a brilliant start!

This honeymoon couple were given a wedding present of ‘money to buy a painting’ and bought this to remind them of their stay in Lyme.

The Shallows original sold on Day One.

Docklands was bought by a local couple who also have a flat in London Docklands.

Connor was with me all day helping and, in the break before the evening session, we donned Heapey Gallery t-shirts and went to the beach for a swim and ice cream, making the most of the hot sunny weather.

Over the course of the week until 1st September I sold three more large originals – Rainbow Dragonfly 2, Water’s Edge and Lyme Bay, and another five prints, making a total of 16 sales.

“We both love the picture. I’m so glad you had a great first solo exhibition, but not surprised. We got home last night and this morning it was straight on the wall!”


Water’s Edge original was bought by some Gorillaz fans!

Johanna is a local lady and has this view from her attic window.

It was a great experience and I had a huge amount of very encouraging feedback.

Not only was there a fantastic craft brewery right opposite (Lyme Regis Brewery) but a fabulous working water mill one side of me, a Tapas restaurant,The Strawberry Tree, next door and a practicing potter my near neighbour. Who could ask for more?
inside the watermill
I’m now looking out for opportunities to have a similar exhibition locally here in Lancashire. Watch this space!