Karen’s story - Special memories of Porthleven in Cornwall.
This story came about when I was contacted by Karen who was interested in the image of Portland Bill. She had already bought a framed image but asked if I had any paintings of Pothleven.
Karen has very fond memories in Porthleven in Cornwall on her Honeymoon with her late husband. So after purchasing Portland Bill print form my store she said talked about Porthleven as being another special place for her. I didn’t have an artwork of this harbour but I offered to paint an image for her that she can buy as a framed print So Karen then describes why Porthleven is a special place for her.
In her words- ‘My husband died earlier this year so I am collecting prints/posters of our favourites places. We holidayed a lot in Dorset and Tim always hoped for a rough day or two so that he could get some photographs of the impressive seas and waves at Portland Bill. He did like it calm and sunny as well, so your painting is an ideal reminder.
Karen ‘It’s 36 years this month that we had our honeymoon. We managed to get back there again some time later and it had obviously changed over the years, but I’ll always remember it as it was that first time, a quiet, quaint harbour town, so a harbour image would be just perfect.
It’s been so nice to actually communicate with a real person rather than just a website, and I imagine it must be satisfying for you as well at times to find out why people have bought your artwork.’
Karen attached some photos for me to select a good composition but I do agree with her that Portleven ‘has so many aspects to choose from - from the harbour out to sea, across the harbour side to side, back into the harbour from the sea - as well as the time of day and the weather! May I leave it to you to use your artistic talent to capture the flavour of Porthleven? I’ve no doubt that whatever you create will be stunning. One thing that has particularly stayed with me about Porthleven is that it always seemed to be cool, fresh, and a bit misty when we walked down to the harbour first thing.’
So with the choice of viewpoints I decided on one of the harbour which Karen was delighted with:
Karen - ‘I recognise that view! That’s just wonderful! Thank you! I love the colours and the sense of life and movement, and the bright blue sky and fluffy clouds! A fresh, crisp walk by the harbour! ...We did go back to Porthleven a few years ago. It was much more ‘sea-sidey’ on that occasion as I remember, a lovely little place.’
Both Portland Bill and Porthleven artworks made a difference to Karen and possibly her children too, and in lot of ways this is a very valid reason for these artworks to mean so much. As the artists I made the artworks of these places because experiences and seeing landscapes with those you love makes the world of difference, a peace of mind, that many of us search for these days.
Just to add that my latest artwork of London, and Oxford street in particular added some further fond memories for Karen, so she purchased this as a framed print which she was delighted with.
