Lowestoft artist Ron Hemp continues to help worthy causes

Ronald Hemp - who will be 98 next birthday - is a self-taught artist from Pakefield in Lowestoft who has raised thousands of pounds for worthy causes over the years.

Ron Hemp, in his 90s, still painting each day at his home 'studio' in Pakefield, Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) Renowned for having an amazing attention to detail, Mr Hemp said that in order "to keep my batteries charged" he paints every day after converting the dining room in his home into a studio.

Having created numerous large pieces of art, he has helped to raise funds for Help for Heroes, St Peter’s Church in Carlton Colville and the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston over the years.

Ron Hemp's paintings at his home 'studio' in Pakefield, Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) And in September he achieved a special milestone - after raising more than £10,000 through his solo works.

It has seen £10,591, so far, donated to charity from sales of his works with the most recent cheque of £1,282 going to the James Paget Hospital Charity.

Ron Hemp, in his 90s, still painting each day at his home 'studio' in Pakefield, Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) Now his paintings will be on display for sale from November to December at Thistles Picture Framing Shop in Bevan Street East, Lowestoft with proceeds going to the JPH Charity. 

His paintings cover a variety of subjects - including animals and birds as well as landscapes from around the world and local scenes from Aldeburgh and Southwold.

Mr Hemp said: "People looking at my paintings are amazed by the details they show - they are ‘gobsmacked’ by the attention to detail which they say is fantastic.

Ron Hemp, in his 90s, still painting each day at his home 'studio' in Pakefield, Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes) "I started drawing when I was eight.

"My mum was knocked down by a motorbike and broke her leg. I sketched the scene which was used in court and we won the case.

"I also got in trouble during the Second World War when I sketched a motor torpedo boat and my superiors at the MOD said there was so much detail on it that they took it away and destroyed the artwork in case it got into enemy hands.

"So, I have been drawing and painting all my life."

Painting from memory

Born in Lowestoft in 1927, he worked for 22 years for an electrical group in Great Yarmouth, travelled the world as a director of human resources for a Texan offshore drilling company, before moving back to Lowestoft."

Having looked after his late wife Megan "24/7", she died just weeks before the couple's 70th wedding anniversary.

Mr Hemp now looks after himself with the help of friends and a nephew who call on him during the week, as his daughter lives in Watford, produces three paintings a month.

He said: "I now paint from memory in acrylics - having usually spent a couple of hours before I start to do some research to get shapes and colours right."

Ron Hemp appearing in the documentary charting the history of the Seagull theatre building. Picture: Seagull Theatre (Image: Seagull Theatre) As an honorary life member of University of Third Age (U3A), Mr Hemp recently appeared in the documentary charting the history of the Seagull Theatre building called The school that grew wings.