‘I had to pinch myself’ - 98-year-old artist’s first exhibition is virtual sell-out

A 98-year-old artist’s first exhibition was a virtual sell-out with dozens of people jostling to snap up their favourite scenes.

Julian Macey, from Bradwell, has painted for pleasure for decades, never profiting from his talent and only selling the occasional work for charity.

But a gallery exhibition at Great Yarmouth Library drew queues of art lovers eager for the opportunity to own a signed canvas featuring an idyllic Norfolk vista.

Margaret Carver, who helped to organise the show, said: “It was manic. They were getting to the desk and finding the one they had chosen was sold and rushing back and choosing another one, so not everyone got their first choice.

“The nice thing is that many of the paintings have been bought by friends and people that have supported him for many years.”

Over the four days all 24 miniatures were sold and of the 47 larger paintings only seven had to be packed up and taken home.

Mr Macey, hailed the generosity of everyone who came, raising over £400 for charity.

“It was an extremely nice four days,” he said.

“Opening night was brilliant. I had to pinch myself.”