Ladybird Invasion was inspired by one of the wonderful stories I heard through Saltdean Lido’s oral history recordings. During the long, hot summer of 1976, a huge swarm of ladybirds descended on the south coast and visitors to the lido found themselves battling clouds of them while trying to sunbathe and swim!

I loved how surreal and charming that memory was, and I knew I had to capture it. In the painting, I’ve gathered the ladybirds carefully in the foreground, meticulously dotting them to draw your eye in. Behind them, you’ll spot a climbing frame, cheekily taken over by lido loungers perched right on top, soaking up the sun.

The scene is full of glowing colour and sunbathers stretched out in the heat. The vintage cars parked just outside the lido, reflect the very specific, nostalgic moment in time. It’s a joyful, slightly surreal snapshot of an unforgettable British summer.

Ladybird Invasion has created especially for my exhibition Endless Summer at Saltdean Lido, part of Brighton’s Artists Open Houses Coastal Trail.