Joanne Wilson, who manages the Grasmere Gingerbread Shop, has been immortalised in a new painting by Manchester artist Michael J Browne. The picture was unveiled on BBC TV on St George’s Day in a documentary entitled Made in England reflecting contemporary English society.
Set at Wordsworth’s former home at Rydal Mount, near Grasmere in the Lake District, it shows Joanne dressed in a traditional Victorian costume.  She is reaching for an apple and offering her male companion a daffodil - a direct evocation of the Biblical Temptation of Eve. The artist attracted first controversy in 1997 with his bold painting of Manchester United footballer Eric Cantona as Jesus and fellow squad members as Roman guards.

Michael chose to feature Joanne after meeting her while undertaking research for the programme earlier this year. “She had a natural radiance which was perfect for what I am trying to say in the painting,” he explained.

Joanne was thrilled to have been chosen. “Michael was a delight to work with, gentle and always good-humoured. It’s a very powerful painting with lots of layers of meaning,” she said.

The artist explained that he was inspired by Wordsworth, the landscapes he wrote about and the fact that Grasmere is experiencing a change in its cultural landscape, not too dissimilar to many modern English cities. He was further intrigued to learn that the spices used in Grasmere Gingerbread come from his own family home in the West Indies - adding personal relevance to the theme of a cultural melting pot. “It seemed natural to combine that culture with the culture of Wordsworth, and also that of the countryside and the city,” he said.

Joanne’s husband, Andrew, has since bought the painting and it is to go on a tour of Cumbrian art galleries for a year. Details of the venues will be posted up as soon as they are available.

Click here to see an excerpt from Made in England.

To purchase a Limited Edition Signed Print of 'The English Garden' please contact Joanne Wilson direct on email