Former RAF worker who paints on 50 year old maps for a living – including Spalding, Stamford and Lincoln
A German painting in her bathroom and an artistic sister inspired a former RAF worker to start painting famous landmarks and landscapes onto old maps.
After admiring her sister’s artwork and wishing she could paint at a similar level, Fiona Duncan began the new pastime during lockdown.
Fiona, who also took inspiration from a painting which had been in her bathroom for nearly 30 years, didn’t let her lack of experience stop her. She said: “The painting in my bathroom is a nautical map with a lighthouse painted on it, I thought maybe I could do something like that, but I had never done a course.
“I had been painting traditional landscapes for 20 years prior, but when lockdown started I was looking for something to do and just thought I’d have a go. The first ones I did were truly awful but gradually, I like to think I have improved a bit.
“My sister has been an artist for many years and I always looked at her work and wished I could paint. She told me to find a class, which I did. It was fine and I learnt a lot from it but eventually it didn’t work for me so I left and started working out what I wanted to do on my own.”
The Lincoln artist collects old maps of more than 50 years from charity shops, friends, customers and online shops – and lets her imagination loose to create bespoke and impressive pieces for customers all over the UK.
Some of the areas Fiona has painted include Spalding, Lincoln, Stamford, the Lincolnshire Wolds, Yorkshire Dales, Bamburgh and lots more.
The business also recently attended the Makers Market event, which took place at Springfields Events and Conference Centre in Spalding. Fiona is set to showcase her talent again at the Merry Makers Market, on November 30, at the same venue.
She added: “I am always in charity shops and each new piece I create becomes my favourite. The pictures I paint will be specific to the area on the map, whether that’s a church, castle or landscape.
“It all starts with a basic sketch on paper for the customer to approve and we discuss if they want any changes. From there, I transfer what I have done onto the map, but if you make any errors you have to start again on a new map – I use acrylic paints, so it’s a lot of pressure.
“I never feel like I’m professional, but I really enjoy it when people look at my prints on a map and recognise what it is supposed to be. It’s very simple but I’m easily pleased – it’s definitely rewarding.
“As I am ex RAF, a lot of my friends, who were also in the force, want aeroplanes and other connecting things. It can be quite difficult as I am not a trained artist but it is very interesting to see what people want as there is always such a variety.”
Fiona served in the RAF for more than seven years and started in 1977 as a personnel and administrative clerk. After meeting her husband, who was also in the RAF, she decided to leave to have children and was posted back to the Scampton site in 1990.
Prices for the map designs start at £80, however Fiona does other products including, mugs, prints, greeting cards, cushions and more. For more information visit Fiona Duncan Original Art Prints on Facebook and Twitter.
Also: Lord of the Rings style map created of county
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