Tudors Ice Cream

This piece is about the small, luminous moments of human connection that can feel like a world unto themselves. I'm endlessly fascinated by the atmosphere of night markets and festivals, how these little islands of light and activity can create such powerful feelings of warmth and community.

I wanted this stall, "Tudor's Roasted Caramelised Almonds," to be more than just a food stand; I wanted it to be a modern-day campfire. It’s the heart of the scene, a beacon that pulls people out of the darkness and into its intimate, golden glow. The vendor’s open, welcoming expression and the easy smiles of the customers are the focal point. For me, the entire painting hinges on this simple, happy transaction—a moment of shared warmth and pleasantry that is both ordinary and profoundly special.

The environment around them is a blend of the real and the imagined. The ground is a swirl of vibrant, energetic colour, reflecting the life of the festival, while the background recedes into a deep, quiet night. And then there are those dramatic shafts of light cutting through the scene. They aren't realistic; they are the light of memory itself, the way our minds can put a spotlight on a perfect, fleeting moment, preserving it and giving it an almost sacred quality.

This painting is an ode to those simple pleasures and the ephemeral beauty of finding a moment of genuine connection with strangers, all gathered around a small pocket of light in the dark.