A CLASSICALLY trained French artist who helped restore Barnard Castle’s famed Pittuck mural has turned his hand to cartoon-style illustration to help a charity shop this Christmas.
Cedric Charleof has brightened up the Mind shop’s entrance door windows with a stunning scene of two children staring up at a wintery moon.
Mr Charleof said: “It’s children on a Christmas night with a lovely message in the corner. It is nice to give back a bit [to charity] as an artist. It is a bit of a cartoon because you need to please people from seven to 70.”
Mind shop volunteer Kit Heywood was over the moon with the work done by the artist.
He said: “This will get a load more people in and will help the charity.”
Mr Charleof previously assisted restoration artist Luke Jordan when he brought back the vivid colours of the Pittuck mural, in St Mary’s Parish Hall, which had become damaged by water.
He also worked with town volunteer Roger Peat to produce a mural commemorating King Richard III in Star Yard.
The artist arrived in town about three years ago and along with assisting Mr Jordan with restoration projects also produces portraits on commission. Of the town, he said: “It is lovely – it is like my town when I was four in France. It has that ambiance and magic inside. It is also a little bit of Italy, like the Buttermarket – they have things like that in the middle of the town in Italy. Of course, there is also the Louvre, in The Bowes Museum.”
People who would like to commission Mr Charleof can contact him by email info@ cedric-charleof.com.
The Mind shop will be hosting a Santa’s Grotto today, Saturday, December 3, from 10am to 2pm when people can meet Santa and enjoy a mince pie and mulled wine.
