Home is where the art is for Peterborough painter Colin
Colin Langley, who has turned his living room in Mayors Walk into an art gallery. (metp-17-01-12rh106) Photo: Rowland Hobson
AN avid artist who has been painting for 71 years has turned his Peterborough home into a gallery of his work.
Colin Langley (81), from Mayor’s Walk, has lost count of the number of paintings he has turned out over the years but says that since retiring as an engineer he must have completed more than 1,000 pieces of artwork.
Now Mr Langley, who on a good day can turn out two or three paintings, has decided to transform his living room into an art gallery where fellow art ethusiasts can browse through his work.
He retired from his job as an engineer with Baker Perkins 24 years ago but has kept an active lifestyle ever since.
Colin said: “I think everyone should be picking up hobbies when they are old.
“There is nothing to say a retired person can’t do a lot of things, especially something like painting.
“I love seeing my paintings come to life and it is something I really enjoy doing.
“It’s only a hobbby really, but I’m pretty quick and people seem to like what I do.
“It only takes me about an hour to do a painting, so if I’m in the right mood I can easily do three paintings from scratch in a day.”
Colin has been an avid painter of landscapes for over seven decades, despite developing cataracts in both eyes in later life.
He sells his paintings from The Gallery in Shewsbury Avenue, on Aston Business Park, Peterborough, but while waiting for space there has decided to exhibit work in his front room.
He said: “I have been painting since I was 10 but I must have done well over 1,000 since I retired. I give most of them away for animal charities, and I ask for small donations.
“My favourite thing to paint is water scenes, because I have always been a big fan of boating.
“I like fast boats and even designed my own cruiser.”
Colin is still a regular boater on the River Nene, despite suffering a heart attack two years ago while on a vessel.
He said: “I had a heart attack and had to get a police escort to Papworth Hospital. That sapped my energy for about six months, but I was soon on my feet again.
“I suppose I’ve always kept myself very busy and certainly since I stopped working.”
He also spends his days composing music on an organ in his house, flying planes and building boats that he takes out on the River Nene.
Colin is happy to show anybody around his living room gallery, but has asked that they phone him in advance.
To contact Colin ring him on 01733 551813.
Artist wows gallery owner
COLIN’S work hangs in pride of place in The Gallery on Aston Business Park, Shrewsbury Avenue.
Owner Julie Fisher said: “He will come in with a fantastic piece and then just say it took him 20 minutes to paint.
“We have had Colin’s work here since we opened in November and it sells for anything between £20 and £60.
“Colin is so prolific I think it drives his prices down – he just does so much work.
“He is a very talented artist – you can give him a photograph and he will be able to draw it perfectly.”
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Weather for Peterborough
Thursday 24 May 2012
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Temperature: 11 C to 24 C
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