95 Year Old Artist Dreams of Painting like Banksy

Published by Rob Ghosh for Hanover Housing Group in Housing

A rare painting depicting an artist resting on a wall which was created by a revered local artist with national acclaim became the centre piece of a private art collection on display at a retirement housing estate in Benson, Wallingford today.

95 year old artist Marjorie (Peggy) Jones was joined by Bruce Moore the chief executive of her housing association, Hanover, for a special viewing of the master pieces she has created over a 20 year period.

Peggy, who is influenced by the paintings of L S Lowry, is a former civil servant.   Self taught, she first picked up a brush 20 years ago at the ripe old age of 75. She said: “I started painting by accident; one day I was getting very frustrated with some builders who were working on my flat. I literally got myself a paint brush and some oils and started painting a country scene at the bottom of my garden.”

A few months later Peggy’s talents were officially recognised when a friend encouraged her to enter a national art competition run by the Elderly Accommodation Council (EAC).   Since winning her first competition, Peggy  has created some 50 oil paintings which have been displayed in art galleries nationwide including the prestigious Mall Galleries in London and The Society of Birmingham Artists’ Gallery in Birmingham.

Hanover Chief Executive Bruce Moore said: “Peggy has produced some fabulous pieces of art worthy of many prestigious art galleries.

“It just goes to show that it is never too late to push the boundaries and learn something new.”

After completing her next piece of artwork Peggy says she is thinking of creating a piece of Banksy style urban art which will appeal to the next generation of art lovers.