This is the first
C
art
erton
feature.
Each issue we’ll bring you something
arty and Cartonian. In this first issue,
we feature Mike Steward – “an
ordinary chap who relaxes with a
paintbrush and water.” Carterton has
been Mike’s home for 30 years; he has
painted various parts of it as well as
producing the Mayor’s Christmas card.
Mike doesn’t describe himself as an
artist, partly attributing this to his
school days, where he was told not
to pursue the subject beyond the age
of 14. “Whilst I had enjoyed art as a
pupil, I was told that I had no future
as an artist and did not opt for it at
O-level.” Mike became a geography
teacher, “many a labelled chalk drawn
landscape appeared on my classroom
board – only to be eradicated at the
end of the lesson. I knew I could draw
landscapes.”
Nine years ago he retired from
Carterton Community College at
the age of 54 to take care of his
sick mother. “Retirement saw me
signing up for a 10 week evening
class at Witney College – ‘Water
colour for beginners’. The course
was inspirational and I loved the
concentration and commitment that 2
hours of sitting in front of paper with
paints and brushes gave me.”
There are a fair few painters in
Carterton but Mike does not believe
this is something unique to the town
– “I think if you delve into it, it would
be the case in most places. Bampton
has got its own little art group, Witney
has too, scattered around are many
people who pick up a paintbrush and
pallette and probably haven’t got the
opportunity to put their work before
other people.”
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