Over the summer I have been drawing and painting in some wonderful places around Preston. Haslam Park and Nature Reserve has been a particular source of inspiration, encouraging me to get outside and create. The Lancaster Canal inspires me too, and I often think how lucky I am to have all this on my doorstep.

I recently became aware of the 'Visions of Preston' art project run by Climate Action Preston. It is an Open Call to artists in Preston with the brief: 'How could we thrive, in harmony with nature and with each other?'

We are encouraged to think about familiar places like the Lancaster Canal - green spaces, old buildings and building sites - and imagine what we would like to see there. What would be fun, beautiful, and helpful to the planet and to wild creatures and plants? We are asked to consider Friends of the Earth’s “Hope Starts Here” poster to help us think about what could change in Preston to make things better: how we get around, grow food, and share things.

Could that patch of land become a play space or a vegetable plot? Could that empty building be used as a workshop or youth club, or be taken down to create a green space or nature reserve? Could the city centre be full of plants and wildlife? Some streets could become playgrounds. How could we find space for more trees? What could we do with the city rooftops, and how could we encourage people to use cars less, so it’s nicer and safer to walk around? What about the canal and riverbanks - is there a way we can enjoy them more without endangering wildlife or children? What about Preston Dock, the biggest in Europe in its day, which sits empty most of the time now? And the old railway lines?

With this brief in mind, I have been travelling around my favourite places in Preston, wanting to paint the beautiful, exciting and uplifting things I find - plants, creatures, a favourite insect or bird, energy. Our colourful canal and waterways can be shown in so many ways.

I have submitted a piece for the forthcoming exhibition for consideration, my acrylic painting, Bexhill Road Bridge (No. 15) Ingol, on the Lancaster Canal. A favourite place to watch the sunset and reflect.

Details of the exhibition venues will be announced over the summer. Venues being approached include the Harris Museum, Preston City Hall, Preston Bus Station, and local community centres and libraries.

Bexhill Road Bridge (No. 15) on the Lancaster Canal, Ingol Preston

I have drawn and painted all my life. It enabled me to attend Blackpool Art College after leaving school. I graduated as an Illustrator; my path was set. My Father worked at BAe Warton for 40years; my mother raised 10 happy children and went on to run a hotel on Blackpool promenade. Sadly, my parents died in recent years, something I have dreaded all my life; however, they lived long and happy lives.

The bridge depicted in my acrylic painting is Bexhill Road Bridge in Ingol, Preston - number 15 on the Lancaster Canal at sunset close to my parents’ house. My father would walk his dog along this part of the canal, over the bridge and into Haslam Park. Today I often take the path, thinking of my parents, reminiscing, recalling happy days of a family. It was when I was on such a walk I decided to sketch the bridge, knowing how my father had loved the area. Over time, and many sketches I decided to paint the bridge. It was therapeutic for me, painting something my father had cherished, an environment that meant so much to him. This painting was for him.

The Harris Museum and Art Gallery in Preston city centre announced its Open Art Exhibition, it was good timing. I submitted my dad's painting for consideration. To my surprise it was accepted along with 406 other Prestonians. I didn’t expect what was to unfold. I received a call from a stranger explaining that she had visited The Harris Museum and had attempted to buy my painting, but she was informed it had been sold. I was so surprised at this news, I didn't expect it to sell, as I wanted to keep it, the painting was for my father, his memory.

I apologised, I explained I hadn’t been informed of the sale, I was so sorry for the lady, she seemed upset, losing the opportunity to buy the painting. She told me it had moved her, jumped out at her in the gallery, it reminded her of her younger days walking her dog along the towpath at Bridge 15. She asked if I would consider a commission, to create another painting of the bridge. I agreed and we planned to contact each other in a few weeks, I remembering her saying you have made my day. I contacted her after completing the painting and invited her to a viewing. She was so happy with it and insisted that it was going to a good home.

To this day I have never heard from the art lover who bought the first painting from The Harris Museum, I hope it brings the same happiness it brought to me painting it and the joy to the lady that placed the commission.