Artwork Description:

Title: RF Potts, Babington Lane, Derby

R F Potts is an independent electrical and electronic components spares retailer in Derby. Bob Potts opened his first shop in Normanton in the early 1930’s moving to Babington Lane around 1939.

I was asked to paint this iconic Derby electrical store for a fan who loved the lettering style on the shop name.  Many locals have fond memories of this shop but it is not a museum piece, it is still a thriving business providing a worthwhile service to the community.

I had to include a figure peering through the window, the display of unusual items always draws me in when I pass this shop.

Ink and watercolour on paper.

Artist Bio:

Working quickly with a fountain pen, waterproof ink and watercolour, Tom captures views of cafes, city streets and rural views in an urban sketch style.  Some of these are worked into larger pictures back in the studio using pen and wash or oil.  Sometimes an image demands to be painted and battles a path via sketches and photographs to be released from just an idea to become a finished piece of work.

Tom has always been fascinated by our impact on the landscape and started sketching the urban environment of cafes, railway stations and airports while travelling for work.  Now Tom can often be found sketching and painting in and around Derby and enjoys chatting to onlookers about art techniques, the history of local buildings or where to find the best coffee and cake.