Inspiration from Art and Sport:

During our visit to the Bournemouth Arts Show, Gabriel spotted a painting that immediately captured his imagination. It was a beautifully stylised image of a sea wave, curling dramatically under a vivid sunset. In the foreground stood a proud lighthouse perched on cliffs, and if you looked closely at the horizon, you could see a subtle yet striking whale tail rising from the ocean. The combination of movement, colour, and hidden details drew us both in.

Meeting the Artist

As we approached for a closer look, the artist greeted us with a warm smile. He noticed Gabriel’s fascination with the piece and began sharing the story behind it. We learned that by day, he was a PE teacher and that painting was something he loved to do in his leisure time—a way to balance his love of sport with his creative side. Hearing this was incredibly inspiring for Gabriel, who also thrives on finding a mix of physical activity and artistic expression.

A Thoughtful Gesture

To our surprise and delight, the artist handed Gabriel a postcard of the painting that had caught his eye. He encouraged Gabriel to use it as inspiration and to have a go at creating his own version of the image. This small but thoughtful gesture lit up Gabriel’s face, and he immediately started imagining how he might bring the scene to life in his own way.

Encouraged to Create

Meeting someone who balanced two seemingly different passions—sport and art—left a big impression on Gabriel. It was a reminder that creativity can complement physical activity and that pursuing multiple interests can lead to a fuller, more rewarding life. The postcard now sits in the kitchen, a source of inspiration for a next artistic project.

The Bournemouth Arts Show was already a highlight of our day, but this encounter added an extra layer of meaning. Gabriel left feeling encouraged to try new things and to embrace the balance between action and imagination, just like the artist who shared his story with us.