General   (General discussion, talk about anything.)

Jo Anne, I have always been a big fan of Theo, right back to when I was 17 (that's 50 years ago). My dad was a fan too. I actually got to meet him during his 'Monster' period and saw freshly painted works and one in progress.
I was introduced to him by a friend and artist. She took me to see him one Sunday and I spent the day with him. He was quite ill by then and was in his bed in the living room next to a roaring coal fire.
Momac, you are right about the stacked paintings, I could hardly move as they were stacked in every room with only a tight space to get about; even the attic and upstairs bedrooms were stacked with paintings. He had bought the house next door and stacked his paintings there too. There was just one free bedroom next door where he painted.
Sue and I helped him outside and into his second house and up the stairs to the see the new series of Monster paintings. He was very emotional about cruelty in the world and explained how he was endeavouring to capture it. It was wonderful to see the fresh, energetic and dynamic work that this now frail man was producing.
The day was very memorable and he gave me two signed prints and his book which he signed. I was quite active in art at the time but hadn't painted for a good while. He encouraged me to paint again and also told me to be bold, paint for myself and nobody else, change direction, experiment, explore, discover, etc... He then finished by giving me some tips and whispered them into my ear as though they were treasured secrets. He told me many tales including his one time friendship with Lowry, but also arguments with the Council and added that he loved Wigan with a passion but hated what the Council had done to the town. His emotions could range through sorrow, kindness, enthusiasm, grumbling and rage within one mere sentence.
Such a remarkable artist and man; such a memorable experience for me.