John's Cousin Elizabeth
| 14 May 2008
In life, you cannot choose your family, but you can choose your friends, friendship being one of the most elusive qualities in life. People can be turned by money, position, etc., however, now and again you find a member of your extended family that you love so much because they are most like yourself. Naturally a bond forms, and it makes life that much richer because of their mere existence.
This then is my story of a cousin I always admired for her refusal to be forced into “obedient mediocrity”. When I think back to our youth, both being born in the 1940s, how we had no say in anything. Such was the English way of life. A child was like a picture on the wall, “seen but not heard”. We, the infants and children of our time, were stunned and subdued by the effects of world war. Our fathers were off so bravely to fight, and look what we owe them, in retrospect. How simply brave they all had to be.
So, like so many lost souls, we were lost in our own silence, drowned in the grey aftermath of war, but some of us did manage to shine. In our own singular way, we found a talent that had laid dormant, sometimes for decades, and then freedom arrives and your wings suddenly lift you comfortably to a place where you can find your self-esteem and enough talent to make your heart sing. So then, just like a B-movie plot, we all go our separate ways, seeking what we assume is a happy married life with our chosen partner, but we all know that sadly this is not the case in many marriages, which are built on some unknown foundation.
Elizabeth and I had not seen each other for almost forty years. Now I am thrilled to say we have made contact and it is as though the past never occurred. So it is with a sense of creative pride that I introduce, on our website, the wonderful artwork of my cousin, Elizabeth Coopey.
Elizabeth lives with her equally talented husband, Peter, in a lovely part of Wales which goes by the enchanting name of Abergavenny (which for those of you addicted to the BBC’s chef Gordon Ramsay, as I am, you will recall the episode in “The Walnut” restaurant ~ that is in Abergavenny).
So to all of you supportive website browsers, we hope so much that you enjoy our proud display of Elizabeth’s watercolours. Bound with magic and depth, they capture the very essence of her chosen subject. This of course is one of life’s wonders, when someone you know and love develops a talent as pure as art.
Of course, if you would wish to commission the favourite, brilliant cousin of Sgt. John Benton, then by all means use the contact email address provided on the website. Send a good photo of your favourite landscape, castle, hill, lake, or what have you, to Elizabeth (please note that she does not do portraits). Give her enough time, as that is what perfection takes, and you will possess a fabulously personal work of art from Great Britain. For verification purposes, I will naturally offer a lovely 8”x10” portrait photo of Benton, personalized for you to take place behind your framed Elizabeth Coopey work of art on your wall, backed by yours truly.
In closing, it has made my life so very rich by knowing how well Sgt. Benton is and has been received by you, the most vital element in show business, “The Audience”. On behalf of Elizabeth, along with my wonderful wife, Jeni, we wish you all you wish yourselves, and may your god go with you!
Sincerest regards,
John
The picture that you see is of John's favourite view of the City of Salisbury in England which I have painted for him at his request.
John and I, (my name is Elizabeth) are cousins and were born and grew up in Salisbury, our mothers are sisters so we saw a lot of each other when we were young, but as the years went on we went our separate ways and although we didn't see much of each other the fondness was always there and of late we have made contact again much to our delight, together with my husband Peter and John's delightful wife Jenni.
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