I was excited to recently rediscover this painting squirreled away behind many others. Carol Thunstrom was an artist who lodged with my family in Greenwich in the late 1960's or early 1970s. This painting is of my son David, looking very regal and important in his chair!
I spent some time this afternoon looking through old notebooks with my daughter. We came across some photos of my favourite Camberwell Art School model. I met Mr Seargent in the early 1960's, he was walking down Peckham High Street with 2 heavy bags of shopping. I asked him if he would like any help carrying them and he said he wouldn't as he didn't have far to go. We fell into conversation as we were walking along and found that we got on well together. I asked him if he would consider being a model for art students and he surprisingly he agreed. This is one of the first modelling sessions we had...
I first met Cristiana when I took a summer school in Kent. I was immediately struck by her determination to tackle the most difficult of subjects. That meeting developed into a bond where we were practically inseparable. Painting together in the Kent valleys or on the Thames shoreline we were able to give each other practical criticism. I believe on our tours of Kent she saw something of her native Italy where in her earlier years she studied at the Florence Academy of Art.
In England she soon became involved in art projects and was a long term member of and contributor to The Blackheath Art Society. Cristiana exhibited at many prestigious galleries including the Royal Academy, Whitechapel Gallery and the Mall Galleries. in 1990 Cristiana was awarded first prize in the Laing Collection Exhibition for London and the South East. We must not forget that she achieved all this while bringing up 3 daughters. More recently The Millinery Gallery in Islington was her main exhibiting gallery where her paintings held their own against well established artists exhibiting alongside her.
Parallel to her painting career Cristiana was also a visiting lecturer at the Adult Education College for Bexley for some 30 years, stimulating many students. As testament to her skill as a teacher and warmth as a person many ex-students stayed in touch.
Personally I was always amazed at Cristiana's energy and always that Italian sparkle to liven us up. At her peaceful passing we say goodbye to a truly renaissance woman. She was my soul mate and I was so lucky to have shared my life with her for so many years.
Terry Scales
October 4th 2020.
