Recently I have been painting with whoever wants to join me to create some stunning pieces of art. It is a peaceful thing to do, a haven in the midst of the hustle and bustle of life. People often want to talk too. Here is an example from Norwich which I did over a two day period as part of ‘Celebrate Norwich’ a joint church venture to show-off all that the churches get up to. Around 150 people painted this with me:

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Painting with people doesn’t have to be over complicated – the results can often be striking as contrasting abstract paintings, for example by simply collecting hand prints, red and yellow onto a black canvas. By this array of messy prints I had some explanation as to what I was doing. Because my canvas was 4 old doors, complete with holes where the handles I wrote: Once upon a time there was a man who said: “Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”

Many people wanted to know who said such a phrase.

The painting with people doesn’t have to be done in busy city centre’s either. This is an example of painting next to a fish and chip shop on a housing estate. Around 30 people helped me paint this Angel:

All this painting took place in Chelmsley Wood Birmingham as part of the Tree of Life project that I am working on with Chelmsley Wood Baptist Church. Chelmseley Wood Baptist Church.