The Stunt Artists Collaborate with Hereford Flower Market
Sometimes the best collaborations begin with a simple conversation.
This week, I had the pleasure of displaying my original oil painting, You've Got the Love, at Hereford Flower Market, where it will be on display until 10th August.
This painting feels perfectly at home amongst buckets of fresh flowers because that's exactly where its story began.
A Painting Inspired by Sunflowers and Family
Last summer, my cousin surprised everyone with a fancy dress wedding themed around Highland cows and sunflowers. It wasn't about perfection or tradition—it was simply about joy, laughter and celebrating love without the stress.
Before the wedding, I visited Hereford Flower Market to collect the beautiful sunflowers that would become the inspiration for this painting. Those same vibrant blooms became the heart of You've Got the Love, a celebration of warmth, happiness and the simple moments that stay with us.
Bringing the painting back to the place that inspired it feels like completing a full circle.
Behind the Sunflowers
While dropping the painting off, I spent some time chatting with owner Stephen, who shared a few fascinating facts about the incredible sunflowers he grows himself.
This year, Stephen planted around 7,000 sunflower seeds, although only around 2,500 have survived after an ongoing battle with hungry rabbits. With the dry weather leaving little grass or moisture, the rabbits have been chewing straight through the sunflower stems.
During the COVID lockdowns, Stephen even hand-planted 1,000 sunflower seeds, carefully placing each one around nine inches apart by hand.
It's these stories you never hear when you simply buy a bunch of flowers. They're a reminder of the passion, patience and hard work that goes into every stem.
Of course, no visit would be complete without meeting Cassie, the friendly spaniel who happily wandered over to say hello before continuing her rounds of the shop.
The Power of Showing Up
One thing really stood out while I was delivering the painting.
Within just half an hour, I had so many lovely conversations with people passing by. I received countless compliments about the artwork, answered questions about my process, and several people asked whether I take commissions.
It was a powerful reminder that sometimes thirty minutes making genuine connections in person can achieve more than hours spent creating social media content.
As artists and small businesses, we often feel pressure to constantly feed the algorithm. But nothing replaces real conversations with real people.
A Handmade Frame Worth Talking About
You've Got the Love is an original oil painting, beautifully finished in a handmade reclaimed wooden frame created by Steven Hodges, a talented furniture restorer based in Leominster. The character of the reclaimed timber perfectly complements the warmth and rustic feel of the painting.
Visit the Painting
If you're in Hereford over the next couple of weeks, pop into Hereford Flower Market, an independent florist at 33 Church Street, Hereford HR1 2LR, and see You've Got the Love for yourself.
The original painting is now for sale and limited edition prints are also available through my website for anyone who'd like to bring a little sunshine and Highland charm into their own home.
Thank you to Stephen and everyone at Hereford Flower Market for such a warm welcome. Supporting independent businesses is what communities are all about, and I'm delighted that this painting has found a temporary home amongst the very flowers that inspired it.
Buy the print here: 'You've Got The Love Limited Edition Print'
Buy the Original: 'You've Got The Love Original Oil Painting'
