Inspired by Michelangelo’s Delphic Sibyl in the Sistine Chapel, Sue is painted bearing her own modern scrolls. The weighty bag is slung like a bandolier showing deep stiff folds of fabric that contrast with the light hi-vis orange vest.

The oolitic limestone of Bath is both bleached by the intense winter light and darkened by the shadows and algae that reach deep into this porous stone. Poised between pillars she is caught mid stride in an alcove watching her step while delivering the post to her community.

I painted this before the pandemic because as I work from a home studio the one person I see more regularly than my family is the postie.  We built up a rapport but also I was struck by how vital her role was for those people who live alone or are lonely. Her presence and familiarity is a gift of kindness each day.  I was also struck by how prophetic her bag of letters was. 

There might have been good news and bad in there.  The promise of new adventures or difficult post from banks, companies and the past. That was my inspiration for the connection to the Delphic Sibyl and I enjoyed using an outrageous orange paint - not in a classic renaissance manner but full on hi-vis modernity with a gritty palette knife.

1m x 1m