Dacorum man finds renewed passion for art during lockdown

The 73-year-old has been sketching to keep himself busy
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A man from a village in Dacorum has reignited his sketching hobby during the coronavirus lockdown to keep himself busy.

Richard Abraham, 73, of Little Gaddesden, has been drawing for years as a hobby and recently got back into it, and his daughter, Caroline, contacted the Gazette to share her dad's art with more people.

Up until seven weeks ago Richard managed the Post Office part-time in Little Gaddesden, but since lockdown began he has kept himself busy with his sketches, which have proved popular on Instagram.

RichardRichard
Richard

Caroline said: "He’s in his seventies now and adjusting to lockdown was tricky for him. He’s very social man who loves a pint of beer.

"He was a police officer, he used to cover the little villages and report back to what used to be Berkhamsted station.

"He used to do drawings for his friends, his sketches are something different and they are helping him to keep busy.

"I’ve set him up with an Instagram page under @thelazylampoonist so he can share his work with more people.

One of Richard's sketches (C) Richard AbrahamOne of Richard's sketches (C) Richard Abraham
One of Richard's sketches (C) Richard Abraham

"I am just so proud of him, I think his art is brilliant, I always want him to do more. I think it's lovely for your parent to do something they really enjoy."

Richard said: "I've done about 60 pieces of art so far, it just keeps me busy during these difficult times.

"I will be going back to work at the Post Office when I can, but for now I'm enjoying this.

"I have always been a cartoonist and just started up again, my drawings are sometimes topical, but not always. If it is not topical, it's something I like, like a beer, so there is a drawing for Tring Brewery.

One of Richard's sketches (C) Richard AbrahamOne of Richard's sketches (C) Richard Abraham
One of Richard's sketches (C) Richard Abraham

"I usually think of what to do when I go out for my daily walk."

Richard moved to Little Gaddesden in 1980 as a village policeman and has been here ever since, he has applauded the way the village has adapted during the coronavirus lockdown.

He said: "It's great to see the community and businesses adapting to the new way of life, with deliveries and moving things online.

"The village is still going strong during these uncertain times, the village shop, the garden store and the Red Lion pub in Dagnall are all providing for the community, it's great to see.

Richard and his daughter CarolineRichard and his daughter Caroline
Richard and his daughter Caroline

"The council and the church are both doing things online."

To see more of Richard's work, visit: www.instagram.com/thelazylampoonist.A message from the Editor:

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