Toby Ward, Artist in Residence at St Martin-in-the-Fields, has recently completed a magnificent drawing of the church amidst the building work of the Renewal Project. Working diligently on the drawing from November 2006 until March 2007 on eight separate sheets of paper that had to be skilfully joined, Ward confesses he never saw the drawing as a whole until it was almost complete.
Having done a number of drawings for St Martin's since 2002, Ward enjoys drawing iconic buildings in transformation because of the array of activities involved in such large projects. "I find the building magical both inside and out," he explains. "However, drawing the builders at work is of equal importance to me as the building itself."
From a family of painters, Ward's life was imbued with art from the start. So he set out on an unusual career path when he enrolled at Sandhurst at the age of 19. Ward then served as an Infantry officer in The Royal Welch Fusiliers until, at 25, he realised he must return to art.
Since then, Toby Ward has managed a unique and exciting artistic career, including spending a month in 1995 working with the United Nations Peacekeeping force in central Bosnia drawing an account of the life and work of the soldiers. He has also previously been commissioned to produce drawings and watercolours of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and The Ritz Hotel and portraits of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Lord Rothermere and Sir Sidney Kentridge. Having served as Artist in Residence with The Mercers' Company and the Athenaeum and travelled as a recording artist with HRH The Prince of Wales, Ward admits he still holds a special place in his heart for St Martin's. "Every time I enter St Martin's I
feel a surge of delight," Toby extols. "From the first day I felt at home. I like the rhythm of life in the church that revolves around the services and music. I also like its practical and down to earth approach to its work and life within the community".
Toby's latest drawing of St Martin's is currently on display in the central portico of the church - please do come and have a look if you're nearby.
The Renewal of St Martins Campaign Newsletter