Borough Life Autum 2006: Gloria’s Gift
It's only rock'n'roll: Gloria Boardman with some of her work.
Between midnight and the sun’s first light is a special time for Gloria Boardman.
For most it’s a twilight zone where the smallest sound and movement take on an eerie resonance.
But for Gloria it’s a time when magical things happen, when the almost imperceptible scratch of brush on canvas emanating from the kitchen of her Astley home forms the soundtrack to a night of creativity.
“To me it’s one of the most exciting sounds in the world,” reckons the 57-year-old mother of three.
“It means you are about to start a new adventure. You may not know where you are going or where you will end up but you know you’re on the way.”
She’s often joined by a few famous faces during her nocturnal meandering and tonight is no exception.
John Lennon and Jimi Hendrix are perched on the kitchen unit, while Elvis is draped over a chair.
They stare out from the flat canvas, each a perfect likeness in a distinctive Pop Art style. It’s big and it’s bold and it’s a style that Gloria has made her own.
Two years ago she had never picked up a paintbrush in her life. But since that fateful day when she walked into Tyldesley community education centre, she’s created more than eighty works of art.
Before all this Gloria had been a busy wife and mother with a high-powered sales job that took her all over the country. But the brain tumour that surgeons took 17 hours to remove – and which robbed her of the sight in her right eye – put paid to all that. “After the operation I spent a lot of time at home recuperating, feeling down and not being able to do the things I always used to do,” she says.
“When I returned to hospital for a check up I was given the devastating news that the tumour had returned.
“Once the initial shock had subsided, I decided enough was enough – I was going to get out and find something that would cheer me up.”
Gloria became involved with Wigan Council’s Adult & Community Learning (ACL) and straight away she was hooked.
“I walked into Tyldesley community education centre and decided I would join an art class. I had never done any painting before, but it was something I felt I would like to try.
“My tutor Tina Martin opened my mind,” she adds. “She encouraged me not to be afraid to experiment.”
So passionate is she about art that she’ll often work through the night. “Because of the tumour I do get very bad headaches,” she says.
“So I come into the kitchen and just get on with it. Hours can pass without me realising and the pain doesn’t seem to matter.
“I paint for everyone I know,” she says. “If there’s something they would like me to do then I’m happy to do it for them. At other times I just look at the blank canvas and inspiration comes. I’m a big fan of Andy Warhol and Pop Art and many of the people I paint are my musical heroes from the 1960s and 70s.”
Gloria’s dream would be to see her work on display in a gallery but she’s quite content to beaver away from her kitchen.
“I can only say to people who have always wanted to give learning a try but are reluctant for whatever reason, give it a go. You may miss something very special if you don’t. If I can do it, then so can you!”
The council’s adult and community learning service has a wealth of courses running at a network of learning centres throughout the borough, in the evening and during the day. To find out more you can contact Donna Clayton on 01942 828912 or email d.clayton@wigan.gov.uk