Haze's strangers: No. 31: Don

This is the month that the chairs are removed from Winchester Cathedral, partly for domestic purposes, partly to show what the vast expanse would have looked like in times past.

And there was Don, executing a watercolour of the west window. This was smashed by Cromwell's supporters and afterwards the glass fragments hastily put back together in no particular order so that the only recognisable figure is St John.

Don spends 5 days a week around the county painting, usually outdoors, but yesterday he had sought refuge from the cold.

He moved here from Lancashire and used to work as an industrial chemist, also an IT manager.

I asked him if his wife minded him being out so much and he said that she didn't but that she liked him to talk to her in the evenings.

Don had spent 7 days on this watercolour and expected another 3 would see it finished. I thought it very fine and it was great to have the chance of a portrait of an artist at work.

[Louise & Ken]

What a lovely photo, Hazel, and a wonderfully insightful story about this interesting man! I have to wonder at how cold his hands must get as he paints!

[Beryl Lloyd]

A delightful capture Hazel ,-- so lovely to see an artist at work with sheer delight in his face

[Ming Ryan]

Great capture Hazel, he does look very happy.

[wendy frost]

Another interesting stranger you have found Hazel. A great portrait of an artist at work.

[Kane Arlow]

Fantastic portrait, and more importantly it tells a story. It must take a lot of patience for him to do this.

[Denise Wood]

Wonderful capture :)

[Decima F]

Super portrait Hazel; I think I went there last June - the Chagal window?

[sally agnew]

A lovely portrait Hazel and equally lovely story behind the artist :)

[Lois]

Awesome portrait!

[Joyce]

Lovely portrait Hazel Lots of interest in it

[mittens (Marilyn)]

Wonderful capture.

[Mickey Anderson]

Hey Don, another great Stranger!!

[Hazel]

@princessm

Thanks Decima. The Chagall window is in Chichester Cathedral http://365project.org/quietpurplehaze/365/2013-02-01
and much more vibrant than this hastily put-together again window in Winchester. (I love the Chagall - hope you liked it too).

[Louhi]

Lovely portrait and the story behind it.

[Lady Magpie (Heather)]

Lovely portrait capture, Don looks an interesting character.

[Penelope Ann]

Love his smile and concentration

[Chris]

Lovely portrait - he is wrapped up against the cold!

[gloria jones]

Super portrait, details, composition

[Babs]

I love this shot. Interesting story of his life too. Love the expression on his face.

[Bep]

Great capture, Hazel. Fav.

[Pat Knowles]

Lovely Hazel.....always good to see artists at work. I always think the brushes look good in the hand.

[Christine]

What a lovely place to do a watercolour

[Decima F]

@quietpurplehaze Thanks Hazel that's the one!

[Phil Howcroft]

great story and capture haze

[Pam]

Great photo. I like how he's doing his thing.

[Ann H. LeFevre]

It doesn't look all that warm inside with a heavy coat like that on while you paint! You are doing exceedingly well with these portraits. And I really like how you've gotten to know your subjects a bit while you photograph them.

[Richard Hickey]

Awesome portrait. Congratulations on making the Trending Page and the PP. Well deserved.

[Merrelyn]

Lovely portrait.

[Louise & Ken]

A shame that he didn't want a copy of this wonderful photo! Conversely, when I photographed the musicians at the Market last weekend, they immediately asked if I'd send them copies and asked if they could put them on their FB page. I guess they did just that because they wrote and said Thank You!

[Linda Plummer]

Lovely portrait of Don. Nice story too. Nice find for a stranger.

[Rhodie]

Lovely clear portrait shot with another lovely story behind it.

[Rosan]

Wonderful capture of an artist at work.