An artist from Farnham created an aerial view painting of Gostrey Meadow to provide a more interesting background for her Scottish client’s home office Zoom calls.

The woman, who used to live in Farnham, commissioned Colette Moscati to make a “statement art piece” as a “talking point” to get the chat flowing during lockdpwn business conversations.

Colette, a “contemporary, abstract and tactile expressionist” artist and property developer, said: “You only have to watch interviews on television to see examples of journalists and leading speakers working from home having selected artwork to reflect their interests, background or personality.

“Imagine a piece of original art that is about you or centred on your own story. A statement piece is a great talking point, and if commissioned by you even more so. Abstract art inspired by people’s stories or memories is both a unique collaboration and legacy between owners and the artist.”

Colette believes statement art is here to stay in an age when plain magnolia has taken over from psychedelic wallpaper as the decoration of choice.

She said: “Home working is with us, either as a Covid measure or, as some are finding, a more permanent or accepted working location solution.

“Blank walls and Zoom calls don’t work for small talk. Meetings in an office meant you could add personal effects like your wedding or family photos but these aren’t able to be seen on a Zoom call.

“I appreciate the added value statement art can bring to those calls.

“When people speak about something passionately they reveal some of themselves. Isn’t that great if you can still feel like that after hours of being on Zoom?”

Born in London, Colette was brought up in Tain in the Scottish Highlands and has British, Singaporean, Italian and Russian heritage.

She has a husband, two daughters and a Jack Russell named Bella, her painting companion in her cosy sun-trap studio.

She said: “My aim is for viewers to feel intrigued enough to come up close to the painting to find their own interpretations and feel compelled to touch the paintings.

“If they do they will be able to feel the mark making, which I love to leave.”