The Piano Shop Bath, Artist Annie Sloan and Textile Artist Charlotte Macmillan Join Forces to Support the NHS

The Piano Shop Bath has joined forces with paint range creator and artist, Annie Sloan to transform a John Broadwood piano into a unique piece of art to raise vital funds for the NHS.

The Piano Shop Bath has transformed several pianos into show stopping instruments previously, with intricate paintings and artistic decoration such as appliqué and knitting. They have created pianos for super yachts and bespoke instruments for world-class musicians such as Coldplay with each detail handcrafted to create something unique.

As the showroom is currently closed to visitors due to the coronavirus pandemic, The Piano Shop Bath reached out to artist Annie Sloan and textile artist Charlotte Macmillan with an idea for collaboration that fuses their collective talents and will also raise money for the NHS.

The three way partnership will see the creative flair and paints from Annie Sloan brought together to create a one-of-a-kind painted piano, inspired by the works of the 18th century romantic French Rococo artist, Antoine Watteau – a personal favourite of Sloan. The piece will include a bespoke piano stool, finished with textile designed by Charlotte Macmillan, who creates beautiful textiles for a range of artists such as Boy George.

Annie said, “I had long wanted to paint a piano as I’d seen old painted pianos where there would often be romantic pastoral scenes complete with musicians, so when this opportunity presented itself I jumped at the chance to do something good for our NHS.

“I chose to exaggerate Watteau’s loose expressive style and for my reference one particular work called Fêtes. My paintwork becomes looser and freer and more abstract as you move away from the vignette in the centre and throughout I kept the colour palette in introverted blues and greens with the occasional shot of brighter shades. I’ve enjoyed painting this piano hugely and it’s inspired me to paint my own at home during this period of lockdown. Pianos are tricky to paint as there are so many facets and the shapes are unusual so it represents a particular challenge.”

The Piano Shop Bath owner, Jon Kelly said, “Annie has hand painted and signed the piano which makes this piece totally unique. Along with Charlotte, we were all very keen to do something to honour and help our healthcare workers and this seemed like the perfect way to do just that. The piano and stool are beautiful and will make wonderful, eye-catching additions to any space.”

All funds raised from the sale of the piano, which is priced at £3,000, will be donated directly to the NHS. The lucky buyer will get free delivery anywhere in the UK and receive a complimentary tuning from The Piano Shop Bath.

To find out more about the unique piano design and personalisation service available from The Piano Shop Bath, visit https://www.thepianoshopbath.co.uk