I was sad to hear the news about Cornwall Councillor Candy Atherton . I met her many years ago when I painted a her portrait .

We met the first time at her home in 2002 , and I remember there was some excitement, as she was about to be married, and showed me her pretty wedding dress.  I then began working on ideas for this painting, and felt at the time, it was important to include her engagement ring within the final portrait, to mark that happy time in her life.