Love it local this Christmas and have a look at local artists, craft-makers and small businesses for your special Christmas presents and Christmas cards.

Take a look at local artist, Stewart Pawley’s, Barrow upon Soar greeting cards. You can buy them direct from him (see contact details below) or at Taylor’s Florist on the High Street.

Having difficulty thinking of a special, ‘different’ present? Stewart creates unique 3D portraits of people, pets and architecture as well as original illustrative art. Some of his work is on display at the Hunting Lodge; the Secret Garden Café and, again, in Taylor’s Florist, all in the village.

His artwork is not limited. Currently he has a 1.4-metre-long painted fox in the Fosse Foxes Art Trail at Fosse Park. His storybook style paintings are on the walls of Rainbows Hospice, some as big as six feet across.

Stewart has recently completed bespoke artwork on the coin drop donation box for the library (coins make a lovely noise as they drop) (see p.25) as well as 3D artwork for the train station featuring beautiful painted flowers created by members of the Barrow Scout Group. The community bench in the village (at the corner of the High Street and Cotes Road) was made based on Stewart’s original design sketches and was featured in the winter 2020 issue of Barrow Voice.

You can see Stewart’s work on his website: stewartpawley.co.uk and you can contact him on his mobile: 07903 189644 or email: stewartpawley01@gmail.com