SWINDON ARTIST CELEBRATES ST GEORGE’S DAY IN A UNIQUE WAY



Swindon artist and Rotarian Mark Amis will be celebrating St George’s Day by creating an exciting and original fine art painting depicting the tale of St George and the Dragon. The Woodman Inn at Fernham, near Faringdon, Oxfordshire – just a few miles from where the famous St George and the Dragon legend began - will be the venue for a non-stop 24 hour charity “Paintathon”. Starting on Tuesday 22nd April and working through to Wednesday 23rd, Mark will transform a large 2 x 1.4 metre blank canvas into a finished painting. Working freehand from only his own preparatory sketches, this will be a rare chance to see one of England’s accomplished yet relatively unknown talents in action. The Woodman Inn, one of Oxfordshire’s most popular traditional pubs will be serving a range of celebrated English beers and sumptuous English food during the event. Exact details are to be confirmed but it is hoped that traditional fare will be available from 10.00am on the first day of the Paintathon continuing through to a celebratory Gala Dinner the following evening.

The first few hours promise to be the most interesting. In a style similar to that adopted by Rolf Harris on TV programmes in the 70s and 80s, Mark Amis will rapidly transform a blank canvas into a recognisable image, explaining what he is doing as he goes in an entertaining and informative manner. The whole event is being organised by the Rotary Club of Swindon Thamesdown to raise £5,000 for the charity Help for Heroes to benefit British Service Personnel injured in recent conflicts. A group of Rotarians will be there to support Mark and inject some party atmosphere between 7.00 and 10.00pm on the 22nd. By this time, the painting should be taking shape as the artist works through the night in oils, defining and detailing the painting. After taking a short break for breakfast, Mark will then see the work through to completion. The grand finale to the St George’s Day Paintathon will be a celebratory dinner after which the organisers are hoping to use time lapse photography to show the development of the work from start to finish. The artist will say a few words before the painting is unveiled and signed. The original work will be sold to raise funds for the charity as will a limited edition of prints. “This event marks the birth of a significant painting reflecting an important aspect of English history” says Tony Horn, Rotary President. “It is a fantastic way to mark St George’s Day and I do hope that everyone will take advantage of this very rare opportunity to see a celebrated artist in action and support a very worthwhile charity.” Tickets to the St George’s Day celebratory Dinner cost £35.