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A Thurso artist could not believe her eyes when she came across a painting she had sold for £30 around 30 years ago and priced at 30p in a Wick charity shop.
Caroline Swan, who regularly exhibits at art shows in her hometown of Thurso, was flabbergasted to find her own work for sale at only one per cent of the original cost.
“It’s called March Trees and it shows a wee street in Thurso,” said Caroline.
“I sold it for £30 at a Caithness Artists exhibition in Thurso 30 years ago. Last year or so, before the New Start [Highland] shop in Wick closed I was rooting through old frames for sale.
“I’m always trying to recycle old frames and everything was 30 pence in the pile. I said to the woman there, ‘Is this one 30 pence? This original piece of artwork is 30 pence?’ and she said yes. I told her I did it and it’s an original and not a print.”
Caroline thinks the original owner probably passed away and relatives had given the painting, along with other keepsakes, to the former charity shop on Bridge Street in Wick.
She said she was delighted to see it again and brought it home. Her partner then noticed the figure of a deer in the work formed from various plants which she says was an unintentional addition.
“The recycling element is very important to me. Not just for environmental reasons. It’s like all objects have a history and a story to tell,” she added.
After regaining her old work, Caroline has put it back on show at the current Society of Caithness Artists exhibition at the ETEC building in Thurso. Hoping her bargain buy will pay off she has the acrylic and pastel work from the 1990s for sale at £120.
“Where was this painting for the past 30 years? I hope it brightened someone’s wall. What a joy it was to find it again!”
The free exhibition is open daily from 3pm until 8pm, except Sundays, until Friday, August 2.
