A painting by a local artist has found a new home on the wall of the Observer offices after it was kindly donated following a recent exhibition at the Tenby Museum and Art Gallery.

Linda Thompson recently exhibited at a joint show, along with her husband Bill, which was opened at the town’s Museum and Art Gallery on Castle Hill, by well-known local Laurie Dale.

Linda’s collection of work entitled ‘Tenby Enchanted’ is said to capture details of the town that we may all well have missed, whilst also opening our eyes to see familiar views in new ways.

The museum’s curator Mark Lewis said that Linda’s work reveals an eye that catches details that many of us are too often oblivious to.

“Familiar scenes are given a quirky twist, often humourous, to capture the charm of a town that is overflowing with it,” he explained.

“Thus the picture-postcard town is seen as a view in the slot of a post-box, from the perspective of a lobster peering at the harbour from between baskets, or is suspended in a snow-globe or then given the warm pastel hues of the Mediterranean.

“There are side streets, window frames, stained glass windows, reflections, buildings old and new, recognisable faces, and suddenly we find ourselves looking at a familiar location with brand new eyes open wide. And every picture is gifted the warmth of the artist and the enchantment and love that she feels for this, our town,” added Mark.

Many of Linda’s paintings at the exhibition have since been sold, but when it came to finding a home for her Observer-inspired piece what better place to have it on display than in the front office of the newspaper.

“When I first conceived the idea for this painting I was thinking of how everybody loves a Friday, as it’s the end of the week when we all start to wind down. Also everyone loves reading the Tenby Observer; catching up on local news and events and generally putting our feet up for half and hour or maybe a bit longer - perhaps with a cup of coffee,” said Linda.

“The red wrapped biscuit, synonymous with ‘take a break’ (no names mentioned) seemed to creep in and before I knew it I had ‘It must be Friday - take a break’.

“The Tenby Observer is such a big part of Tenby and the people of Tenby that the painting needs to reside in the place where it all started. I think it has found a good home,” she added.

Linda who has been a familiar face working at Tenby Infants School over the years, is soon to be moving back to Edinburgh with her husband, and we wish them all the best for the future and thank her for her kind donation.