My Own Art Story: A Painting Worth Waiting For
From the galleries of Cambridge Contemporary Art to the walls of her own home, this is the story of how Carole’s enduring “love affair” with a city – and a painting she discovered within it – unfolded over the course of several years.
Carole is someone who loves art and enjoys visiting galleries, though only does so a few times each year. As she puts it, “I am certainly not an art guru, but I am curious and often inspired by what I find”. Despite her enthusiasm and appreciation, she has long felt that owning original artwork was beyond her financial reach.
Everything changed in 2022, when Carole’s son, Jamie, was offered a place to study at St John’s College, Cambridge. The family visited the city for the first time and was immediately captivated. Over the next three years, Jamie’s college and Cambridge itself became a place they cherished deeply: “We have so many happy memories of being there. In fact, we are all bereft that such a magical time ended when Jamie graduated last year”. On every visit, Carole made a point of calling in at Cambridge Contemporary Art to admire the gallery’s wide-ranging displays of art and craft. The gallery has been a long-time member of Own Art, joining the scheme shortly after its launch in 2004 and offering 0% finance to customers for over two decades.
In the summer of 2023, the gallery hosted a small exhibition by abstract artist Kate Burns, which Carole visited. First drawn in by a piece she spotted through the window, she soon found herself transfixed – she “stood in front of the painting and felt a connection like never before”. The work, aptly titled Obsession II, would go on to shape the years to follow. Enchanted, Carole spoke with a member of staff, who explained the Own Art scheme and the option to spread the cost over ten months. However, at £750 – an amount she recognised as reasonable for an original artwork – Carole felt she couldn’t justify the monthly payments on her salary as a teaching assistant while supporting Jamie through his studies.
Unable to take the painting home, Carole refused to let go. “I diligently visited ‘my’ picture in the gallery every time I came to Cambridge”, she said, often “dragged” friends and family in to see it whenever they passed by. At home, she even redecorated her guest room, choosing colours that would one day complement the painting, “should I ever win the lottery. Sadly, the lottery didn’t keep up with the plan”.
Then, in November 2024, during another visit with her husband and son, Carole arrived to find the painting gone. Alarmed, she asked a member of staff what had happened to Obsession II and learned it had been returned to the artist the day before. Thankfully, it was still available. Determined not to risk losing it again, Carole decided the time had come to make the artwork hers, officially, with the help of Own Art. With her 60th birthday falling on Christmas Day, she asked friends and family to contribute towards bringing the painting home. Today, she explains with delight, “It now hangs on my wall (pictured below), offset to one side, so I see it when the door is ajar, in a room that was decorated for it, months before I ever really dreamt it would be mine”.
While the initial connection was immediate, the painting’s meaning has only deepened over time. Carole now describes it as being “metaphorically wrapped in the ribbons of St John’s College, wonderful times in Cambridge and the love of her family and friends”. She is clear that owning Obsession II would not have been possible without Own Art, noting that “whilst the cost was still significant, the scheme made it achievable” for her. Thanks to Own Art, Carole has been able to experience the joy of art ownership and says that if another piece ever moves her in the same way, it will be Own Art she turns to again.
“My finances may be limited, but my desire to be moved by another human’s expression and insight is not. We all deserve to have our lives enriched by art. It’s life-enhancing”.
Not a day goes by without Carole stopping to admire her painting. As she says, “I have never once thought that I should have spent the money elsewhere or regretted spending it at all. This painting has given me nothing but joy and has enhanced my world. I will love it until the end of my days”.
Discover the artist and gallery mentioned in this article
Cambridge Contemporary Art
Website: www.cambridgegallery.co.uk | Instagram: cca_gallery
Kate Burns
Website: www.kateburns.co.uk | Instagram: kate_burns_london
With thanks to Carole for sharing her story with us. This interview has been edited for clarity, length and readability.