When I was little my Mum always took me to buy shoes in a shoe shop in our local town. They had a basement room for children which smelled of leather, had a wall of cardboard shoe boxes, and where I had to put my foot in one of these slidy things  to determine what size I was! It also seemed to have this wallpaper for almost all of my childhood:

These cartoons were very popular during the 70s and 80s and I remember liking the delightfully dotty signature:

These plump ponies and unfortunate riders could be found in newspaper cartoons, in books and on bowls and other merchandise at the time.

I liked the super curvy, stodgy horses, always seeming slightly manic and difficult to control.

Coupled with the inevitable novice rider, trying and failing spectacularly to master their beasts.

Looking at them as an adult, I can still see the humour and the skill, but actually if you look closer, some of the background artwork is very detailed and, frankly, pretty stunning.

It came as no surprise to find that Thewell also exhibited landscapes, many painted near me in Hampshire, showing a great love for this picturesque area.

The cartoon ponies and their plump riders will always raise a smile but it’s been nice to find out a bit more about Mr Thelwell and the depths of his talents. I for one, am in awe.

It is with a nod to a great talent I say:

It’s only vintage but I like it!