Winston Churchill: Painting as a Pastime

Dear Imaginary Friends,

Winston Churchill, who surely needs no introduction, wrote a wonderful little book called "Painting as a Pastime," in which he extols the virtues of oil painting. He and I are on the same page!

The book, published in 1932, is a love letter to painting. It also features several color plates of his work. 

Some of my favorite quotes: 

"I must say that I like bright colours. ...I rejoice with the brilliant ones, and am genuinely sorry for the poor browns."

"Painting is complete as a distraction. I know of nothing which, without exhausting the body, more entirely absorbs the mind. Whatever the worries of the hour or the threats of the future, once the picture has begun to flow along, there is no room for them on the mental screen. They pass out into shadow and darkness... Time stands respectfully aside."

All paintings shown are copyright, Winston Churchill. 

Blenheim Palace

Absolutely stunning in its grandeur, Blenheim Palace is bedecked with 24 k gilding everywhere you turn. Winston Churchill was born here, and buried in the chapel there. 

It has been continuously occupied by the Duke of Marlborough since John Churchill was made Duke for winning the Battle of Blenheim against the French. 

Queen Ann was very grateful, as the defeat out England on top. 

During World War II, MI-5, the British intelligence, worked there. 

The reason that Blenheim and Buckingham Palace were never bombed is because Hitler was saving Buckingham for himself and saving Blenheim Palace for Goering!

Your reporter,

Patsie