Chip Feeds The Ducks

Dear Seb and Olivia,

I met your mum just before you were both born. In 2006 we both rented an artist’s studio at The Custard Factory in Birmingham. Our studios turned out to be opposite each other and it was there, in a dusty corridor in an old Bird’s custard factory that I first said hello to Charlotte. We instantly made friends and I truly believe that it was fate that we found each other because I think we both needed a friend at the time. Sometimes being an artist can be quite a lonely occupation! Having Charlotte there every day really brightened up my days and made the world of difference. I know that at the time your mum was a bit sad because she wasn’t pregnant with you yet and she very desperately wanted you!

So, during our time at the factory, Charlotte and I had some absolutely wonderful times together. I quickly realized how special she is, as some other friends have already mentioned, your mum is so beautifully real and honest. You can always ask for her opinion knowing that her answer will come from a place of love and care. We shared many of our deepest feelings and had so many laughs together, I felt as though I had met a true friend and a kindred spirit. Charlotte’s paintings inspired me hugely and she gave me so much encouragement with my own work – I still think of her advice and helpful words when I attempt a painting and every time I draw a tree I will think of her! However, our friendship only began at work… We had both taken on a studio in the hope of doing more work and being more artistically ‘focussed’ but I think your mum will agree, there was more fun happening than work during that time…We started to have some wonderful lunches together and some incredibly long tea breaks because we were chatting so much! Then we started wandering into town to do some Very Important Shopping and then we started to get our hair cut together and we introduced each other to our other friends. We went out for wine and dinner, we sang on your mum and dad’s Karaoke machine. We played with Otis your cat and Odie my dog. We even attempted to cycle to work one day through Digbeth but I believe that we were both a bit terrified and it only happened once. After that your mum started to pick me up in her car to get to work and I remember us singing along to Annie Lennox, Sweet Dreams rather loudly 🙂

The films below were taken a few weeks after you were born Seb. It was so wonderful to meet you on that day and celebrate your birth with your mum. I know how happy she was when she knew she was having you. We called you Chip when you were in your mum’s tummy and so you will always be Chip to me! This may have been the first time you had ever fed the ducks but sadly you were fast asleep so we had to throw the bread for you! It’s tiring being born I expect (I can’t remember). The man pulling a funny face is Andy Reid, a good friend of your mum’s and now good friend of mine too thanks to your mum introducing us.

I love you Charlotte, thank you for being such a wonderful friend, full of patience and fun xxx