Painting as a Pastime

‘Painting is a companion with whom one may hope to walk a great part of life’s journey.’Winston Churchill first took up painting in 1915 and pursued it with great pleasure until his death in 1965. While largely self-taught, he was mentored by some of the established painters of the day and became an accomplished artist in his own right. His works are now found in various collections around the world as well as at his house in Chartwell, Kent.Written in 1921-22, this essay speaks of the joys and rewards of painting, an experience Churchill called ‘a joy ride in a paint box’. Painting was, in essence, his mindfulness practice and a distraction from the political challenges of his life, helping him through the difficult 'wilderness years' between the wars and beyond. The essay has been in print in various forms since it was first published in 1948 and is a classic example of his engaging and lively writing style.