Much loved artist mourned

TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-known artist who has died at the age of 77.Lawrence Self's funeral service was held yesterday at his village church in Rattlesden, near Stowmarket.

TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-known artist who has died at the age of 77.

Lawrence Self's funeral service was held yesterday at his village church in Rattlesden, near Stowmarket.

Mr Self leaves behind his wife, fellow artist Ashe Ericksson, and several children.

Mr Self, who taught at the art school in Ipswich, was known mainly as a landscape painter, but also did portrait and still life work.

At Suffolk's Wolsey Art Gallery, where his work has been exhibited, gallery attendant Denise English said: "His work that I have seen is very technical and very colourful. It was very enjoyable and he was a very highly skilled man.''

Born in Surrey in 1924, he was educated at Brentwood School. Then after three years war service, he attended the Wimbledon School of Art for two years and the Royal College of Art for three years.

In 1957 he moved to Suffolk and there followed many exhibitions during the next four decades.

His work was displayed in Ipswich, at Gallery Thirteen in Aldeburgh, the Yoxford Gallery and Gainsborough House in Sudbury, as well as in London.

At his home village of Rattlesden, rector, the Rev Robin Excell, said: "He was very much loved in the village and everyone respected him. He was very much liked for his pleasant manner and ready sense of humour.

"The whole village is quite shaken that he has left us so suddenly and he will be very sadly missed.''

Mr Self is believed to have collapsed on Christmas Dy and later died in the West Suffolk Hospital, Bury St Edmunds, on December 28.