Roger Quilliam and his wife, Fiona Walker-Quilliam, are lifelong Kendalians.
Roger, now retired, used to work on the printing press machines of The Westmorland Gazette, whilst Fiona still works part-time at Holland & Barrett.
Together, they produced an art exhibition, named ‘Devious Designs’, which has been running at the bar, 98 Highgate, since June 15, and which comes to its conclusion on Sunday (August 31).
At the bar itself, surrounded by their creations, the pair discussed with me all things past, present, and future regarding their artistry.
“When we had nothing much to do, I just used to start doodling,” said Roger, explaining how it was during his time at the Gazette that he started to develop as an artist.
“Somebody [once] just came over and saw the artwork I’d done and said, ‘oh, they’re quite good, just carry on what you’re doing, and you might get somewhere’.” So, he did.
She’d previously studied at Carlisle Art College, specialising in textiles and tapestry, but the passion had been something that had “gone by the wayside” before they met.
“From getting together, I’ve started doing more art stuff as well. It’s like a sort of second coming of that,” she said.
One of the most interesting aspects of Roger’s abstract work is the fact that he must create his art with the use of only one eye – he lost his left eye when he was only four years old in a car accident involving a drunk driver.
However, this traumatic and life-changing experience hasn’t kept Roger down, hence the art: “luckily I’m here,” he said when explaining the event.
Fiona, however, theorises that the accident and the injury actually aid instead of hamper his work, especially as he focuses on more intricate patterns and abstract forms within his art.
“Possibly just having one eye,” she says, “in a way, might make it easier [for him], because when you’ve got the two [eyes], you’re sort of seeing from both corners.
“I might be completely wrong, but I think maybe it helps him [only having one eye] to focus down on one area at a time when he’s working.”
Roger even mentioned that when he had work displayed at an exhibition at the Kendal’s library, he received comments from people who mentioned the similarity between himself and Riley.
On their future and the potential of another joint exhibition, the couple said they haven’t been planning that far ahead.
“Hopefully, but I haven’t got anything planned yet,” said Roger.
However, Fiona added: “We’ve got one or two ideas of places we’d like to try.”
One such idea was the chance of an exhibition at the Kendal Museum, and another was the possibility of doing one at the Brewery Arts, but they haven’t approached either yet, they said.
Artwork in the exhibition, ‘Devious Designs’, is available to see at 98 Highgate until Sunday, and is available to the public for purchase.
The couple said that they are open to commissions, and that readers can enquire about such things, including potential viewings, by emailing the address: ladyofthelakes60@gmail.com for more information.
