Pensioner discovers talent for art through Haslingden club

Brian Smith first started going to art sessions ran by Darren Hornell at Jubilee Court in Helmshore, but that all came to an end when the pandemic hit.

However he has since made the decision to return to his artistic ways having heard that the sessions were once again taking place, this time at the Veterans In Communities Centre in Haslingden.

Since restarting with the classes his love and talent for drawing has flourished.

Mr Smith in action

Speaking about when Mr Smith first started attending the classes, Mr Hornell said: “At that stage he would draw very slowly and the subject would always be the same so he would end up with copies of the same drawing.

“Then 21 months ago he had a stroke and this has affected his ability to communicate, and after Covid the sheltered accommodation was still closed to visitors so we could not resume the sessions.

“Brian met someone who was attending our art classes at the VIC Centre and he now attends every Tuesday and Friday.

“His artwork has improved so much and now he copies cartoon characters free hand, first picking up a pencil and drawing the outline shapes then with a biro he flies across the page outline the character and they are really good.

“He is very relaxed now. At the sessions at Jubilee Court, he was very shy and he didn’t like to work with everyone else. His wife says she has seen a massive difference as he never used to draw at home and now, he can’t stop.”

The drawings created by Mr Smith, 70, a former forklift truck driver, are now given out to adults and children who attend the VIC art sessions to colour in.

Brian said: “I have always drawn, sort of. It helps me.”

Veteran Dave Joddrell said his partner Pauline Black is taking copies into Parkside, the day centre at Olive House in Bacup, for the residents to colour in.

Darren is planning to showcase the coloured in pictures at the VIC Centre in Bury Road in the future.