Mystery artist creates hand-painted stone gifts for neighbours

Tuesday 27 June 2017

Grouville-based islanders were enchanted, amused and confused to find dozens of tiny colourful houses cropping up around their Parish – only to be more astounded to realise that the dinky dwellings weren’t fantasy designs, but pint-sized replicas of their own.

But although fit for fairies, the miniscule abodes, which were hand-painted onto rocks, weren’t the work of tiny hands - but of a warm-hearted mystery islander.

Having spotted seven of the kaleidoscopic creations on her wall on Saturday morning, Grouville resident Charlie Maltby took to Facebook to ask if the “lovely” paintings had, “…been moved by someone after a few drinks!”

However, it was not long before others chipped in, claiming to have spotted them in the Gorey area or received quirky gifts of their own. 

A short bit of Jersey detective-work later uncovered the mystery artist as well-meaning neighbour Nikki Baudains, who suffers from Parkinson’s – a chronic and progressive movement disorder.

“They are so lovely and we couldn't work out where they'd come from, I was just worried that someone may have been missing them! Through the page someone mentioned Nikki and that made sense as she lives down the road, we'll always have a chat and she's obviously a talented artist. Now we know that they were a lovely unexpected gift we will treasure them,” Ms Maltby said. 

Pictured: A selection of the cutesy cottages and homes.

Express managed to track down the artist in question, who revealed that she was inspired to create the quirky gifts as therapy and to assuage her boredom after her condition forced her to have to leave her job.

“Over the last three weeks I've been bored as I have had to leave my job so decided to paint on stones, as I have no money for paper. The result was I had some cute pebbles that I knew others would enjoy,” she told Express.

One of the first gifts went to a new neighbour – “I gave him the cottage and his surrounding neighbours, along with Grouville church and wished him well and welcome to our parish.”

The next were left on the window of her “excellent” nurse, who lives nearby.

“A well-kept rose cottage that always made me smile” was also greeted with the quaint paintings, while, “…a little boy who always delivers me apples from his tree” got the surprise of finding some in his garden.

Pictured: Nikki Baudains sketches for therapy too.

But aside from the painting, part of the thrill lay in remaining anonymous. “I decided not to tell them, but one lady watched me collecting stones. I think it’s because I like to imagine them smiling and enjoying them, without them having to say thank you. They don’t need to thank me.”

 They’re already keen to do just that though, though, with Mrs Baudains having achieved nearly 80 ‘likes’ in appreciation and a multitude of praising comments.

“Wonderful neighbour you have,” one wrote.

Another added: “Wow, they are beautiful, what a lovely neighbour spreading colour and happiness.”