I consider myself to have had two formative art teachers – my father – who indeed was an art teacher and Sister Wendy Beckett, whose art programmes we used to watch together.
In an age where so many people seek fame, Sister Wendy became one of the most unlikely T.V. stars of the 90’s. She was discovered by chance, overheard discussing a painting in an art gallery. After every programme of her popular BBC art series, she would return to her contemplative life as a hermit in a Carmelite monastery in Norfolk.
Totally unscripted, she combined her obvious passion for art with an observant, devotional eye. She could also be very funny.
When not presenting her popular art series, she spent her time “thanking God for allowing me a life of such unimaginable happiness. Lucky me!”
And lucky us, for all who watched, learnt from and loved her programmes.
