This acrylic painting is of Dave, a long-time neighbour who lived just a few doors down from my parents’ house where I grew up. He worked at the Rolls-Royce factory, and when it closed, he became a bin man. Dave knew everyone on the street—kind, sociable, a bit of a gossip, and a proper old-school Cockney. He spent his days chatting to people whilst he worked.

When he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, I asked if I could paint him. He agreed, on one condition: that I include his beloved rescue dog, Beaky. He loved dogs more than anything.

Very sadly, Dave passed away not long after. But the time we spent together during those painting sessions was incredibly special. There’s something about being closely observed for hours that invites a kind of honesty. He shared deeply personal, often heartbreaking stories—things he’d never told anyone, and it became a very moving experience.