A MARRIED couple who met at Art College are holding an exhibition in Winsford after rekindling their love of painting in their retirement.

Artists Ron Stephens, 66, and Jill Stephens, 65, from Comberbach, are showing their paintings at the Red Gallery, The Red Lion, Winsford until May 4.

Jill a retired teacher, and Ron a retired graphics artist, met in 1969 at Art College in Leeds, and married four years later in 1973.

Two years ago, after working for many years as a graphics artist, Ron decided to pick up the paintbrush once again, much to the delight of his wife.

“It’s really nice,” Jill said. “I’ve been trying to encourage him to pick it back up for years, but he never really took any notice.

“He’s like a typical man, you ask him to do something and he does the opposite. I am so glad he picked it back up though.

“I only picked it up again when I was 60. I’ll carry on until the day I drop. It gives us a focus.”

Rons’ painting hiatus lasted almost thirty years.

He was inspired to paint again after Visual Arts Cheshire hosted an exhibition in Northwich in 2013, featuring around 100 pieces from local artists.

Using wildlife photographs as inspiration, the couple set about creating a number of pieces for the next Visual Arts Cheshire exhibit.

Ron said: “I wanted to do a big canvas. I painted a Cornish Lugger. When I completed it, I thought to myself, ‘I’ve not completely lost it’. That got me started again.

“The second Visual Arts Cheshire exhibition had more than 300 pieces. I had five pieces on display and sold four. I was very chuffed.”

The married couple’s exhibition, titled Birds, Bees and Cézanne’s front door, was inspired by a visit to the famous French artist’s studio in Aix-en-Provence.

It will be displayed at the Red Gallery, The Red Lion, Winsford, until May 4.

Jill added: “There’s a lot of work involved, but seeing it up and all together it quite satisfying.

“To be able to sell something would just be the icing on the cake.”