The Canterbury Tales: The Artist's Tale

The artwork was created with acrylic paints and portrays a picturesque view of the city of Canterbury. The setting for the painting is Abbots Mill Garden, located by the River Stour. On the other side of the river, the Blackfriars Chapel stands proudly and is currently owned by the Kings School as their art department. Behind the terrace houses, stands the tower of the former St. Alphege’s Church. Canterbury Cathedral’s iconic Bell Harry Tower is noticeable in the distance.
In the quiet tranquil garden, two children can be seen sitting on a low wall by the river. One is an artistic boy wearing a foot brace, while the other is a bookworm girl. They are both joined by a black-and-white cat perched on top of a book. The book happens to be "The Canterbury Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer. Art and literature are two of my favourite subjects, and this scene combines them both. The children are situated under a sky covered with clouds, with occasional glimpses of the sun. This scene was based on a photograph I took on a Sunday morning in autumn around 9am.
The girl is dressed in a more elegant and tidy manner, while the boy's attire is modest and unkempt, creating a noticeable contrast between them. Additionally, the boy's foot is in a cast, indicating that he has a disability that limits his abilities. This artwork also serves as a symbol of my hidden emotions and experiences. It represents the moments of loneliness I have endured and my desire to find a partner. The boy in the artwork represents me, as I too have a slight disability, and despite growing older, I still retain a childlike spirit within me.