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Nottingham Evening Post 09:00 - 31 January 2008
LAST GIFT OF A SECRET TALENT
Artist, rock climber, musician, mariner, soldier... The late Edward Harrison had many lives, and many friends.
This was reflected in the eclectic mix of mourners at his funeral.
His family were joined by tennis club friends, members of Nottingham Art Society and Sherwood Forester veterans of the Malayan Campaign.
Mr Harrison, 69, died at his home in Beeston on January 19 - but the energy he brought to living could help create future art, and the type of "outstanding" working artists he himself might have been.
After the funeral his paintings were displayed at a reception held at the Eastwood home of his great nephew, Roger Bagg.
Mr Bagg, 27, said: "He was really inspirational, a real life action man."
Friends describe Mr Harrison as a man with no ego, well-known in widely different social circles.
He used to work for electronics giant Ericsson as a carpenter but 'retired' in his 40s to pursue art and sailing. He skippered yachts for the wealthy and raced in competitions.
Mr Harrison was a talented painter and pen and ink artist - a surprise to many mourners, including the tennis pals he played twice a week.
Richard Orme, 61, of Wollaton, said: "I don't think we knew him at all. He was an excellent tennis player - but we didn't know about his paintings."
Mr Harrison created watercolour and oil portraits and landscapes, and filled sketchbooks with pen and ink drawings of people and places
 Richard Brooksbank, the tutor who first discovered his talent at Broxtowe College 30 years ago, said: "If he had started earlier on he could have been like Van Gogh. He was outstanding. He was a natural artist.
"He was a very big strong fellow but very sensitive."
Mr Harrison's family, and PR agency C3, are to create a new art foundation for Nottingham, starting with an award in his name, to finance talented artists through studies and launch their career.
The annual prize will be open to Nottingham-born artists of any age unable to pay their way through a fine art degree course. A competition is planned.
Sara Chadd, from C3, said: "Many aspiring artists would love the chance to train formally but either can't afford it or don't have the contacts.
"You may be at rock-bottom now, but if you have that creative spark you can get into orbit. We aim to provide the rocket fuel to launch world-beating artists.
"Edward Harrison's message to Nottingham artists is: believe in yourself - and let your talent do the talking.
"Great art speaks for itself."
Companies and others who may like to donate to the art award, or MIND on behalf of Edward Harrison, can contact ccc3@talktalk.netor 01636 700752.
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