Page 63 - Cool Britannia

63The great thing about writing for Paddock Life is we get invited to all manner of events meeting some fantastic people. Recently at an evening at the Sacchi Gallery, I ran into Lincoln Townley. Since the two of us were introduced in 2015 by a mutual (and now dear departed) friend, we ran a feature on Lincoln and together launched the “Racing Icons” series of portraits. A week later we are back at our usual corner table at L’Escargot for lunch and a catch up. We are into our main courses when I mention the theme for the next issue, Cool Britannia. Lincolns’ eyes light up and he pulls out his phone, scrolling through to show me an image. Lincoln had just completed a portrait of Sir Michael Caine, or should I say another portrait of Sir Michael, as he’s one of the original “Icons” series and this is now Townley’s ffth portrait of the star. Sir Michael even attended Lincoln’s exhibition at Somerset House last year, so the two of them have built a rapport. Lincoln tells me the man himself actually commissioned the work, which was a great honour.We all grew up with Caine as an icon of cool, who personifed the image of a true British movie star, with so many of his one liners repeated in daily vernacular. By the time our coffees arrived it was agreed that Paddock Life would launch this exclusive portrait, the original of which proudly hangs in the Caine Residence. Lincoln’s style is unmistakeable and I would strongly recommend viewing his work, in the fesh so to speak, as its power and depth is truly amazing. Get along to a show or gallery and you never quite know who you’ll run into… but be warned, take your cheque book or Amex card as you won’t want to leave without joining the discerning band of Townley collectors. We part ways after lunch disappearing in different directions onto the Soho streets but as I get back to the offce and look at the pile of invitations on my desk, I know I’ll probably see Lincoln again very soon. “YOU WERE ONLY S’POSED TO BLOW THE BLOODY DOORS OFF”YOU WERE ONLY S’POSED TO BLOW THE BLOODY DOORS OFFCraig Blake-Jones has lunch with artist Lincoln Townley