Nicki Greenham

The Last Walk Home

I often paint with found objects instead of paintbrushes to convey the energy of a place. 

So while I was out walking my friend’s dogs I decided to collect small things that I could use for a painting. As we walked up the lane, through the woods and across the fields, I collected grass, buddleia and straw to carry home to use as paintbrushes.  

Little did we know this would prove to be the dog Simone’s last walk, and this painting would take on a whole new meaning. 

Just an hour after we returned home, she collapsed and passed away. Although she was an elderly dog it was unexpected. 

As I sat in the garden creating this painting, it became a way for me to process my feelings of loss. Look closely and you might be able to see a piece of tennis ball fluff from the last ball she played with.