From David Palmer,  March 2015

“Celia’s painting sits in our front hall, where everyone who visits us sees it.  It has deservedly drawn universal acclaim.  “She’s really got you – you have been very lucky with your artist”.

Sitting for me was a novel experience – I had not done it before, and was not very good at sitting still.  Celia was hospitable – white wine and scratch lunches appeared from nowhere; charming; and very firm in what she wanted – mostly that I sat still.  I must have spent about 20 hours in her attic studio, being asked to gaze at her at a distance of eight feet.  It took me some time to get used to this, but I got there in the end.

When I saw the portrait for the first time, I was immediately thrilled.  It is now a daily feature of my life.

It was Celia who persuaded me to wear my sailing shirt, after much three way debate with my wife.  She was right – small boat racing has been integral to my life for 65 years, and remains so."

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