Bradford artist selected for Royal Academy summer exhibition

For many years I have promoted and showcased young people’s and children’s art. Last year I decided to submit some of my student’s work into the Royal Academy’s Young Artists Summer Exhibition. It was wonderful to receive the news that her landscape had been accepted. It was also chosen for the RA 2023 calendar. What an exciting journey it was for her and her family, and of course me.

Also in my last art feature, I mentioned feeling more courageous, post cancer. To this end, I decided, after much encouragement from family and friends, to submit a painting of my own to the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.

It took a while for me to decide as, like everyone, we are struggling financially and for a while I felt selfish paying to submit a piece of art. After all that`s all it was a painting...a canvas.

Then someone said: “You may as well, as you may not be here next year.” Of course it was intended as a joke, but that`s when I pressed the ‘Submit’ button.

That one press of that button began an amazing surreal journey for me. Shortly afterwards I received an email to say my painting ‘Lightning Strikes’ had been shortlisted. You won`t believe how many times I read and checked that email. Was this actually happening? The RA had shortlisted MY painting!

Lynne with her painting at the Royal Academy

Still reeling from this news, I then received a message from the BBC saying they were doing a documentary on a few artists who had been shortlisted. I admit, although I am a positive and trusting person, I started checking via Mr Google to see if this was a genuine person and request. A director was going to ring me for a chat. Evidently, I had stood out, as I was the only artist that promoted children’s art.

The director and a cameraman were coming the following week to film me at Newby Primary School with three of my Art Club children. The children were stars, saying all the right things and acting just the way children should. I was filmed walking in, walking out and every which way. Then they came to my house to film in my studio, which is a converted attic bedroom. No white walls with carefully hung paintings and easels strategically placed around the room.

First, they wanted to take photos of me holding my painting and decided on the back alley was a good spot. Nooo, come on, our house had never been so tidy and clean (well not for a while) and you want to go out on the back where folk dump rubbish and bikes come racing through? Apart from the director having to kick rubbish out of the way and a random chap with a horse, it all went well.

The next step was delivering my painting, via a Grand Central train, down to the Royal Academy, for the next stage of judging. I was filmed again, unwrapping the painting and talking to comedian Joe Lycett about it and how I felt. He was such a laugh, we spent more time chatting about my Frida Kahlo earrings and tattoos...

On June 1 it was results day. I had to open my email whilst on a video chat with Joe, to reveal whether my painting had been accepted. I had no doubts how to respond to a positive outcome, but practised the disappointed yet `not a bad loser` face in preparation for a negative result.

YEAH, ACCEPTED! What an absolute honour and privilege. WOW!

Lynne's painting, Lightning Strikes

Now was an invitation to Varnishing Day. What’s this, I hear you ask. I had to look it up. It is a tradition going back centuries when the old masters would come to the Royal Academy to varnish and prepare their work, ready for hanging. They were led by musicians and Church dignitaries in a procession to St James’ Church in Piccadilly for a short service and a blessing for artists, before returning to the gallery for a reception.

I went down the night before and spent the night in a hotel. Absolute bliss. No snoring husband and no-one to see me break my diet with a naughty burger and fries. At home I never eat junk food. I just felt it had to be done. After all, I was sort of on my hols.

I can’t describe just how amazing the next day was. Little me with my bright red dress and blue hair amongst all these prestigious sensible looking artists. The procession was led by a steel band and, although I’m not religious, I felt moved by the atmosphere in St James’.

Back to the RA for a reception with ‘grazing food and Champagne’. Filmed again with Joe looking at my painting in its place in the gallery I became very emotional as I wished my Dad was there to see everything. He was an artist and would have been so proud. I think I showed myself up, but evidently raw emotion is good on camera.

A week later and I had sold my painting. What an end to this wonderful surreal journey. One I didn’t want to end, but now I feel as if I can aim even higher with my `to do` list.

You never know till you try. I will stick to what I always say to my students: BE COURAGEOUS AND GO FOR IT!

* Joe Lycett: Summer Exhibitionist is on BBC2 on Saturday, July 23 at 8pm.

The Royal Academy in London