Sailor shows blossoming talent with poppy artwork
A ROYAL Navy sailor who discovered he could paint while recovering from a family trauma, is using his new-found talent to raise money for the Royal British Legion.
Petty Officer Scott Falkiner has set himself the challenge of painting 200 individual poppies, for sale with a price tag of £75.
The 31-year-old said: “I’ve been painting for just over a year now and I’ve really taken to it. I just want to use this new skill to raise as much money as possible for the Royal British Legion. I think everything they do to provide for Service and ex-Service personnel is exceptional. There is a legacy of past conflicts and for those that have suffered, support and assistance will be required for the foreseeable future and with costs continually increasing, it is vital that we continue to support the charity.”
PO Falkiner joined the Royal Navy in 2011 and currently works as a drill instructor at HMS Raleigh.
The married father of two, who started the paintings in June, paints three poppies at a time on watercolour paper and each batch of three takes approximately three and half hours to paint.
He was introduced to painting as therapy for mental health problems, following complications during the birth of his second son, Arthur. PO Falkiner nearly lost his wife Elodie and baby. Paramedics had to stop the ambulance on the way to hospital as baby Arthur began to appear. Thanks to them and the doctors and midwives, both survived, but hours later the couple were given the devastating news that Arthur had suffered brain damage to the right frontal lobe.
Following Arthur’s diagnosis PO Falkiner shut himself off from the world and was later identified as suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. To aid his recovery he was given a place at Tedworth House; a facility then run by Help for Heroes. His place was funded by the Royal Navy and Royal Marines charity.
PO Falkiner said: “I went to Tedworth House for a week and there was a range of activities. There was also the chance to speak to other people from across the Armed Forces and swap experiences. On the Wednesday we went down to an art classroom for three hours. I had no intention of doing any artwork, but because I had time on my hands I thought I’d try something.”
Nearly two years on, Elodie and Arthur are doing well. Arthur, to the amazement of his doctor and physiotherapist, is walking and talking, ticking all the boxes for a child his age.
To help Scott’s fundraising campaign for the RBL email Scott.falkiner100@mod.gov.uk or visit his Instagram page S.F Artwork