Here’s a question: How does a letter from the Queen end up in your junk mail?
Despite it jokingly ending up in with the ads and flyers, Shawville artist Leah Beardsley-Chamberlain tells myFM that she was honoured to receive the letter from Queen Elizabeth II thanking her for a pencil portrait of Her Majesty earlier in the year.
She says that it was a roller coaster of emotions, from elation to concern and then sadness, as she would find out about the Queen’s eventual death just days after the letter was delivered.
Beardsley-Chamberlain says interest in her work has shot up since the story of her royal artwork became public knowledge, as she’s now getting plenty of calls for commissions.
She’s also been getting plenty of people who are looking to share their own stories of loss and grief through her work.
Her inspiration to take up art full time actually came from the Queen, after she sent Her Majesty a portrait of Prince Philip following his death last year.
The Queen’s note of thanks at that time gave her the courage to leave her corporate life behind and follow her ambition.
(written by Kasey Egan)