Driving Home, Newquay The Gannel Original Art

When I discovered I had made it to the top 50 finalists I reached out to the Texaco garage to let them know a painting of their garage was in the top 50 of an international art competition. It was a strange email to write and I wasn’t sure how it was going to be received. However I had nothing to worry about, the response was so positive, he loved the painting. Happily the final home of ‘Driving Home’ will be with the owner of the garage. A fitting end to this story as the painting will come full circle back home to Newquay.

The reaction from the garage owner Jack is reproduced below.

“As a family and a business we are honoured that Diane decided to paint our fuel station for her piece "Driving Home". We have seen all the kind words from the locals on Facebook, in our shop and through local radio. It's been so lovely seeing the community come together to support a local artist who deserves everything she has achieved with this piece.”

• Original artwork by British Artist Diane Griffiths.
• Acrylic, oil and enamel on 50x50cm canvas with painted sides.
• Framed in a high quality black wooden floater frame.
• Framed measurements: 53x53cm, depth 3cm.
• Signed with Certificate of Authenticity.

• Top 50 Finalist in The British Art Prize 2024
• BBC Radio Cornwall Interview
• Meeting the Team at the Texaco Garage

One day, after work, instead of our usual walk on the beach we went in the direction of the Texaco garage. I had a nugget of an idea. When I suggested it to my partner he took it in his stride, quite used to my random ideas. It occurred one evening on the way back to Newquay, I’d already developed an interest in night time paintings, exploring how natural and man-made light can transform a landscape. I’d painted some beautiful locations, but I wanted to see if I could transform a subject which would be considered less beautiful, when compared to the likes of St Michael’s Mount and The Eden Project, and make people stop and look.

The red of the garage contrasted really well against the dark blues of the sky. Standing by the roadside on The Gannel taking photos with cars speeding past us, the nugget turned into a fully fledged idea; ‘Driving Home’ was born.