£470 unframed
Neglect and urban decay often hint at the riches they once held. Abandoned Churches are especially ornate. The building, once at the centre of community and the focus of community life, now lies neglected and rotting. The people who worshiped there are gone. Some moved away whilst others have died

This former United Reformed Church is from my hometown of Middleton in Greater Manchester. It’s one I passed regularly whenever I went into Middleton, especially by bus or car. The text reads: -

“Once thriving communities whither as people migrate to where the opportunities are. near Identical structures once stood side by side. Now only the decaying church remains next to the rubble of it’s twin. Disrespected and Abused.”
Grammar lovers I apologise, but it’s meant to be graffiti and disrespect for rules was appropriate.

The picture is painted on watercolour paper. I start off with a detailed pencil drawing. I then draw over the lines with masking fluid before painting it with a watercolour wash which gets covered with clingfilm. Once this is removed the picture is further developed using acrylic inks which are left to dry before the masking is removed to reveal the final picture. Additional pen was used to emphasise the text