Red Wellies is a painting with a story. It’s a story about how, when you love a painting enough, you’re meant to have it. Why it’s fun to buy original art online. And it’s a tale that could only have happened during the pandemic.

I’m spending all day every Friday and Saturday in October at the Lost and Found Gallery. It’s an artist’s co-operative pop-up art gallery featuring work by Devon artists. The gallery is temporarily filling a space on the corner between Fore Street and North Street, where the old photography shop used to be, while the building awaits refurbishment.

Today I took delivery of an exciting parcel. Inside, carefully packed to avoid any damage in transit, was a selection of archival-quality art prints ordered a few weeks ago. Most of the prints feature paintings that have already found their forever homes.

When you’re looking for a special piece of framed wall art for your home, original paintings may not seem to fit the bill. Yes, you’re buying a one-off piece rather than a poster or print, but you’re spending more money on it, and if you can’t see it framed before you buy, how do you know if it will be right for you?

Intuitive art is a process of connection in which the art leads the way. It steps away from head-based questions, building the painting from the heart. This doesn’t mean it’s random. I carefully consider each element of a painting as it develops. What it does mean is that when I start with one idea, the painting quite frequently takes an unexpected turn.