Extraordinary Portraits Season 5 Episode 2

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Transcript

00:01None of us know what surprises life has in store for us.

00:06But all around are everyday heroes.

00:08Ordinary people showing amazing bravery, courage and determination.

00:12I was holding him by the wrists so that he couldn't blow up the bomb.

00:15When I opened my eyes, I was on the hospital bed, all handcuffed.

00:19I competed in eight Ironman triathlons.

00:23And I'm here to give them the recognition they deserve.

00:26I've assembled a crack team of artists, painters and sculptors

00:30to immortalize these unsung heroes with a unique series of portraits.

00:34This is the hardest bit for you, isn't it, Eddie?

00:36Sitting still.

00:37We were just looking at you.

00:40Can you look at me with your eyes?

00:42It's not going to be easy.

00:43I've been in my own personal hell.

00:45The reveals are not that far away now.

00:48If this second cast fails, I'm done.

00:50There's a big sense of responsibility to capture their story.

00:54But the results are going to be amazing.

00:57I've put my heart and soul into this.

00:59Three, two, one.

01:02Fantastic.

01:03Quite blown away, to be honest.

01:05I wasn't thinking you were going to make me cry.

01:07Sorry, I'm getting a bit emotional.

01:10Creating a legacy for generations to come.

01:12I want to remember them like that.

01:14I'm struggling to find right words, because there's no words.

01:18To have us captured in that moment, in that spot that means so much is an absolute privilege.

01:25Welcome to Extraordinary Portraits.

01:36We're often told, as we get older, we're supposed to take it easy.

01:41Slow down a bit.

01:42Don't exert yourself.

01:44But our sitter today has basically said, that's a little of nonsense.

01:47She is living proof, if further proof were needed, that age is just a number.

01:56Eddie, aka Iron Gran, started her fitness journey in her 50s with her first marathon.

02:03She learned to swim at 60, and at 72, became the oldest British woman to complete an Ironman triathlon.

02:10Now 82, she's not slowing down.

02:13She continues to inspire others through her charity, promoting fitness for older adults.

02:18Hello.

02:20Edwina.

02:21Oh, yeah.

02:21How lovely to meet you.

02:22And you.

02:23Step this way.

02:25To my artist's retreat.

02:35Firstly, I have to ask, I hear that your nickname is Iron Gran.

02:41Yes.

02:42That's based on the fact that I've competed in eight Ironman triathlons.

02:46Just remind me what that comprises of.

02:49It's a swim of 2.2, I think, kilometre, and then 180 kilometres on the bike, and then a marathon.

02:57A full marathon on top of that. That's an amazing achievement.

03:00It sounds like you have been into fitness for your whole life, but that's not the case, is it?

03:06Absolutely not.

03:07Most people, when they get in their 50s and 60s, they start thinking about slowing down a little bit,

03:13and not taking on marathons.

03:15I think it was the death of my husband that spurred me on to undertake a challenge like that.

03:23Right.

03:23Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.

03:24He was given six months to live, and in fact only had two months.

03:28But we were able to talk about the future and that I was the lucky one.

03:33And I would be going on immediately after almost he died.

03:37You know, you go out for a walk with friends or a run up a hill.

03:41And that, I think, was crucial.

03:43Right. What keeps you going there, Eddie?

03:45I think the motivation is that I am 82 years old and healthier ageing.

03:53Yes.

03:53That is so important to me.

03:55Yes.

03:55It underpins the SilverFit charity.

03:57Tell me about SilverFit, then.

03:59We meet up, do some exercise, and then meet up socially for a cup of tea or coffee.

04:04And I think it's a brilliant idea.

04:05So it wasn't going to be running a marathon or anything as extreme as that.

04:09So we did cheerleading for a while with silver pom-poms.

04:13But the key element is the social element.

04:16Absolutely.

04:17So I think perhaps, you know, older people who are on their own, maybe they've lost a partner.

04:23And it may be hard for them to make those social connections.

04:27Yeah.

04:27And what you're offering is that.

04:29Yeah.

04:29Through fitness and exercise.

04:31And having fun.

04:33And having fun.

04:35That's the key issue, isn't it?

04:36That's the key element.

04:37Yeah.

04:38What do your family think about this portrait?

04:42I think they were a bit surprised.

04:44I'm a mum.

04:45It's going to be fun.

04:48You're right.

04:49I'm going to go and get the artist.

04:50So you sit tight.

04:52Okay.

05:00Hi, everyone.

05:01How's it going?

05:02All right?

05:02Yeah, good.

05:03So, well, today's sitter, what an amazing character she is.

05:08Her nickname is Iron Gran.

05:10Oh, yeah.

05:11She's now in her 80s, but she's competed in marathons, Ironman competitions.

05:19She's a marvel.

05:21And so, for this reason, I thought that, Caroline, this would be right up your street.

05:28Yes.

05:29Yes.

05:30Good.

05:31Well, that's good.

05:31I mean, this is the sort of thing that you painted in the past.

05:34Older people with great stories, especially women, is my...

05:38Yeah, I couldn't have picked better than if I had done it myself, Bill.

05:42Great.

05:42There you go.

05:43Yeah.

05:43Perfect.

05:44All right.

05:44Well, come with me.

05:45I'll fill you in on the way.

05:46See you later, guys.

05:47See you.

05:47Cheers.

05:55Eddie, this is Caroline.

05:57Hi.

05:58Oh, lovely.

05:59Hello.

05:59Nice to meet you.

06:01Yeah.

06:01Wow.

06:02When you think of yourself being immortalised in paint, is there any part of your life that

06:09you want to sort of be included?

06:11I think it is an element of having fun.

06:15Yeah.

06:15So I'm not sure how we...

06:17Yeah.

06:17The wisdom of age with the playfulness and freedom to...

06:22Yeah.

06:23...have fun.

06:23Yeah.

06:24Yeah.

06:24I love that.

06:25Well, no time like the present.

06:28There's a lot to do.

06:29I'm going to let you go.

06:30So, see you soon.

06:32Yes.

06:33High five.

06:33Thanks, Bill.

06:33See you, Caroline.

06:35Good luck.

06:45Not only are they going to create a wonderful portrait, they're going to have an absolute

06:49ball.

06:51She's an incredible character and a fantastic subject for Caroline.

06:57This is a perfect match.

07:14I want to know everything there is to know about Eddie before the Iron Grand Eddie.

07:20Painting a portrait is more than just a face at the end of the day.

07:26It's a story.

07:26It's a narrative.

07:29Today, Caroline wants to capture Eddie's physicality.

07:40Eddie, where do you find the energy for this?

07:42I just enjoy it.

07:44Yeah.

07:45I think having a challenge or an end goal is quite useful.

07:49Yeah.

07:50I'm going to take some photos of you where you're posed.

08:01Eddie is like this larger than life personality, but there is this real warmth to her and this

08:10real human side that I want to find more about.

08:27How was that?

08:28That was good.

08:30Yes.

08:30Lovely warm water.

08:31Fab.

08:32Yeah.

08:33I didn't swim at all until I was 60 years old.

08:36Really?

08:37Yeah.

08:39For her painting to be more than just a likeness, Caroline needs to understand what makes Eddie

08:45tick.

08:46And this is my flat.

08:47God, you really get the sun in here.

08:50And you've got all of your...

08:51And that's my three children and that was my husband.

08:53Yeah.

08:54Oh, it's a lovely family photo.

08:56Yeah.

08:56And I can't help but notice all of your awards over here.

09:00I was second in my age group, 2005, in the London Marathon.

09:07And I'm delighted that now, if I did the same time, I'd be 200th.

09:13There are so many more women running brilliantly.

09:16Amazing.

09:16I think it's great.

09:17Yeah.

09:20You were talking about your dear husband and I couldn't help but think that maybe that

09:28was a huge part of your motivation.

09:31We had three months to, you know, to talk about the fact that I would be able to make

09:36the most of life.

09:37Yeah.

09:38That was the catalyst of, you know, I am the one that gets to go on and...

09:43And it was also quite important in recovery terms, you know, to make the most of your

09:50life, to have the fun and be the lucky one.

09:53Yeah.

09:53Well, cheers to Philip.

09:54Cheers.

09:55And everything you've done in his name.

09:58You have literally taken the baton.

10:00Yeah, yeah.

10:00He'd be really proud.

10:02I hope so.

10:02Yes.

10:12The majority of the time she exudes this positivity and vitality and energy about her.

10:21But I know that's not the only Eddie that exists.

10:24I know that there's loads of other sides to her.

10:28All the edges amount to like a really, really interesting, complex and wonderful woman.

10:41Exciting news today.

10:43My canvas arrived.

10:44I think it's the biggest canvas I have potentially painted on before.

10:52It's quite intimidating.

11:02I'm here in this actually rather lovely spot on the banks of the River Thames.

11:06I'm here to meet Caroline, find out how the process is going.

11:11Hello.

11:12Hi, Phil.

11:13How are you doing?

11:14I'm good, thanks.

11:15How are you?

11:15Yeah, what a lovely spot this is.

11:17It's roasting.

11:18It's just been really fascinating to get to know her and chat more about her motivation

11:23and what really drives her and what she does.

11:25Yeah.

11:26And you think that that is something which is going to inform the way that you approach

11:31the painting?

11:32When I first met her, I came in thinking a certain direction.

11:36Yeah.

11:36And the more I learn about her, the more that just fractures into all these different components

11:42and leaves my head spinning.

11:44No pressure.

11:47Over 35,000 people have taken part in the exercise sessions run by Eddie's charity.

11:53Hello, ladies.

11:54Welcome.

11:55Welcome.

11:55Good morning, good morning.

11:57Here's your pose for today.

11:58Thank you very much.

11:59Weight over your toes.

12:01Looking as far ahead as you can.

12:03Let's go.

12:04Come on.

12:17I'm not competitive.

12:19Come on.

12:20I can't keep up with you.

12:21Yes.

12:23Did you just tell me you've signed up for another Ironman, Eddie?

12:27Half Ironman.

12:28Oh, half Ironman.

12:30Half Ironman.

12:30Oh, you lightweight.

12:31Yeah.

12:35So, Pat, how would you describe Eddie as a person?

12:39I mean, she's an absolute inspiration.

12:41Really?

12:42And we have supported each other enormously with all sorts of things.

12:46Yeah.

12:46It's emotional fitness.

12:48We've built up resilience because we've become friends and we can talk about anything,

12:53you know?

12:54There's hope in it, isn't there?

12:55It's invaluable written words.

12:57It's clearly made a big impact on you, hasn't it?

12:59And not just me, though.

13:00I mean, that face, you very, very rarely see anything but that smile.

13:04Oh.

13:05Really, really, really.

13:07And that's part of the inspiration as well, of course.

13:17Thank you so much.

13:19Thank you so much.

13:20Thank you so much.

13:26I'm a bit stuck.

13:27It's almost like I've got too many options.

13:30Just trying to edit it down and pick the right one.

13:34I have about five different floating Eddie heads, all with different expressions.

13:42Parts of Eddie's character, but all quite different.

13:46Option one, it's kind of a cheeky Eddie.

13:49I love the glint in her eye.

13:51I really like this expression.

13:54She's looking away from the camera.

13:57She's looking towards something else.

13:59You're instantly wondering what she's thinking about.

14:02This one's definitely more confrontational, because she's just head-on, kind of like,

14:07don't mess with me.

14:08Generally, for me, it's all very instinctive when choosing the right image to work from.

14:20Caroline is torn between portraying Eddie's larger-than-life persona, as most people see it,

14:25and a more unexpected side.

14:29Lovely to meet you.

14:30Hello.

14:31Nice to meet you. Nice to meet you, Tilly.

14:34She's hoping Eddie's family might help her decide.

14:37Do you call her grandma or nan?

14:39Eddie. We tend to call her Eddie.

14:41Occasionally, I might call her gran.

14:43Oh, she doesn't like her.

14:45But she's very much not the kind of a soppy, like, granny.

14:49I'm at a bit of a juncture where I don't really know which way to go.

14:55I think she fills her life with everything.

14:57She's incredibly sociable, but always has been.

15:01Yeah.

15:01I think her phrase of I'm the lucky one really made her embrace life, hasn't it?

15:13Yeah.

15:16Yeah.

15:18Yeah.

15:20Yeah.

15:29Yeah.

15:30going somewhere doing something.

15:33That's genuinely her.

15:34Like, she just doesn't want to sit still.

15:35I think, you know, most people do therapy and I think she took up running.

15:39Yeah.

15:39She found that really, really supportive.

15:41Yeah.

15:42Just like an onion.

15:43Lots of different layers.

15:46This has been really helpful.

15:47It really has.

16:02Part of my process when I'm trying to figure out ideas for compositions is to go through existing paintings.

16:08Asking myself, what is it about this that works for me?

16:13Why does it excite me?

16:15These are really interesting.

16:17We've got a Manet and a couple of Van Goghs and they're all women sitting in chairs.

16:23I quite like the juxtaposition of having Eddie seated.

16:30Her whole thing with Silverfoot is she's trying to galvanize this energy, getting these people out of their stereotypical armchairs.

16:46Caroline has taken hundreds of candid shots, which together with some inspiration from the old masters have given her an

16:53idea for the composition.

16:54Hello.

16:55Hi, Bill.

16:56Hi, Caroline. How are you doing?

16:57I'm good. How are you?

16:58Great. Really well.

16:59So, what's the plan today?

17:02So, I've got this idea with a chair that I've seen in Eddie's flat, which I think would make a

17:07really interesting compositional and metaphorical device.

17:11All right. Well, I'm here to help in any way.

17:13Cool. Let's go.

17:14All right. Let's do it.

17:17So, where do you want this?

17:19I think we should put it over here because I want the light to fall across her face.

17:23Okay.

17:23So, around here.

17:25All right. How's that?

17:26There you go.

17:27I think.

17:28Oh.

17:30Well, her face is a map of the world, is a map of the world. You can see she's a

17:36beautiful girl, she's a beautiful girl.

17:40I kind of like the idea of the chair being outside.

17:44Yeah.

17:44Do you know, like, what's happening here?

17:47Eddie's sitting on her throne. Everything is a device within a composition.

17:51All the things that are important to you that you want to put across is what the viewer has to

17:56see first.

17:57And everything around her is a silver pool of light.

18:02People who surround her feel the benefit of it. It makes you count.

18:08This is the hardest fit for you, isn't it, Eddie?

18:10No.

18:11Sitting still.

18:12No, that's not fair.

18:14I can't imagine you repose in an armchair for too long.

18:16No, that's true.

18:18And your hand.

18:22My daughter, when she realises these are longer shorts, I've just cut the bottom off.

18:26And she'll say, Mother, couldn't you find some better shorts?

18:31Now we can have some fun.

18:33Yeah, that's it. There you go. Look at that.

18:36Can we try and cross your legs, though? Cross your legs?

18:39Yep, perfect.

18:44The biggest challenge for me will be finding that split-second image that encapsulates everything that she stands for.

18:54That's the challenge.

18:56I'm really happy with your work today, Eddie. Thank you so much.

19:00I think we should head off. Great. That's a wrap.

19:04Brilliant. All right, let's...

19:09So I'll just... I'll just take this then, shall I?

19:13I know my place in this scenario.

19:21I feel utterly exhausted, physically, emotionally drained.

19:27The last few weeks have been really tough.

19:30When something isn't going well and you know you just have to get up and get on with it and

19:35keep going.

19:36It's more than motivation, it is discipline.

19:49Pom-poms are part of her story and it's part of the playfulness of her.

19:56I've been in my own personal hell trying to battle that.

20:00I've not gone for an obvious Eddie expression.

20:06I think it's right and I think it's made for a really thought-provoking painting.

20:13But there's always that niggly thing in the back of your head that's like,

20:17have I completely missed the mark?

20:19And the reveal is next week.

20:22There's still a fair bit to do.

20:30It has taken more than 500 hours of painting.

20:34The pom-poms alone took more than three weeks.

20:37But Caroline is finally ready.

20:41Aha! Hey!

20:42Bill!

20:43Caroline, how are you doing?

20:45Good, thanks. How are you?

20:46Good. So, this is it.

20:49I've got a van.

20:52Blimey.

20:52It's a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be.

20:54It's a bit of a beast.

20:55Yeah.

20:56A bit of a two-person carry.

20:59Okay.

21:00The biggest one I've ever painted, Bill.

21:03Really?

21:04Yes.

21:04Wow.

21:12Eddie has brought her close friends with her for the big day.

21:23This has been quite the project for you, hasn't it?

21:27Yes.

21:28It's been all-consuming.

21:30Yeah.

21:31It's been intense.

21:32How are you feeling?

21:33How are you feeling?

21:34Excited.

21:35Yes.

21:35So excited.

21:37Yes.

21:38It's quite the size.

21:40Are you going to need a hand with the reveal?

21:42I think I'll be all right, Bill, but I will have to do a switcheroo

21:46and use these steps from my little legs.

21:49Right, okay.

21:49I cannot reach the bar.

21:50All right, then.

21:51Well, if you're ready, I'll go and get Eddie and her guests.

21:55Cheers, cheers, cheers.

21:59Portrait viewing this way.

22:07Welcome.

22:09Today's the big day, the big reveal.

22:12How are you feeling?

22:14So excited.

22:15Good.

22:16That is the correct answer.

22:19Caroline, how are you feeling about all this?

22:23I feel great about it, actually.

22:26I just, I really hope that I have done you justice.

22:31I can't wait.

22:34Okay.

22:35Take a deep breath.

22:39Caroline, shall we do the honors?

22:48Here we go.

22:49Three, two, one.

23:05Fantastic.

23:06It's brilliant.

23:07Amazing, Eddie.

23:14Oh, Caroline, it is very emotional for me.

23:17That's me saying, where are you, Phil?

23:21And I think you knew that because we talked about the loss of my husband and the sadness and, and

23:27yet the importance of physical activity in my recovery.

23:32It's just you two, T.

23:37It's just you two, T.

23:37I can't say it all the same, okay.

23:41Thank you for knowing me.

23:43It's as if Eddie's just going to leap out of the chair.

23:48And that's Eddie.

23:49It is the Eddie.

23:51It is the Eddie that I know, but it's sort of a more, maybe a bit more pensive.

23:56It's a sort of different side to her.

23:58Her face, everything about the picture inspires you.

24:01It shows her determination, definitely.

24:05You look stately there.

24:07I mean, Caroline's really captured you.

24:10You're so strong and it really does come out.

24:16It's just wonderful.

24:17I just could just watch this all day.

24:19It's beautiful.

24:25It's capturing Eddie sitting still, which he very rarely does.

24:30It's just wonderful.

24:33I'm so happy that you understand, because I feel like we really did connect on a deep level about all

24:42kinds of parts of your life.

24:44I really wanted to explore the Eddie behind the smile.

24:48And what I discovered after many, many chats with you is this steely, determined strength that's at the core of

24:59everything that you do.

25:00I think Caroline captured an emotional moment when I was looking up there.

25:06I did lose my husband and, you know, still remain very sad about that.

25:11But I am the lucky one and I've always wanted to make the most of my life.

25:16I think you've captured that fantastically.

25:20And I'm going to get emotional because I found it so profound when you were generous enough to share with

25:26me about some of your final conversations with me.

25:30One of them was the, you're the lucky one, and it's stuck in my head every day I've been painting

25:37you.

25:37Oh.

25:39Because you are, you're living for the both of you.

25:42Yes.

25:43Which is what I wanted to convey in this.

25:46Yeah.

25:46But also, I don't think you look sad in it.

25:50I think there's this twinkly sort of hopeful determination.

25:55Oh, Caroline, it's just incredible and lovely to see you.

26:01Come here.

26:01Thank you so much.

26:02You're welcome.

26:03You're welcome.

26:04I think that, from listening to all of your reactions, I think so much about your life has been captured

26:13in this painting.

26:14We live in a society where the elderly are marginalised, ignored, abandoned at times.

26:25And yet, here's a person in their 80s who's saying, look at me, look at what I can do and

26:34listen to me because I've got things to say.

26:37Everything that you do is inspirational.

26:40Oh, gosh.

26:42There's, there's a lot in this portrait.

26:44I mean, you can probably tell from where you are, but there is so much wonderful detail in here.

26:49What we're going to do now is Caroline and I are going to step out and invite you all to

26:55come forward and have a closer look.

26:57Oh, wow.

26:58Okay.

26:59See you in a bit.

27:03Wow.

27:05Oh, my goodness.

27:07Look at that hair.

27:10Tattoo.

27:11Yeah.

27:12Yeah.

27:12No, that's New York triathlon.

27:14How is it?

27:23Hello.

27:24How did it go?

27:25Yeah, it went really well, thanks.

27:28Emotional?

27:29Yeah, but in a joyful way.

27:31It was like a real celebration.

27:34Before I even explained my thought process, they immediately got it.

27:45Wonderful reactions from her friends.

27:49I think they really responded to the kind of other side of her that Caroline captured, the more thoughtful, the

27:57more pensive side.

27:58And also she did capture that sense of mischief and that sense of outgoing fun that really she represents.

28:06I think this shows you what portraiture is capable of, is that it can show a fantastic likeness, but it

28:14also tells you a lot about the person.

28:16It tells you who they are and it tells you a little bit about their history.

28:21And that's what portraiture is about.

28:24And that's what portraiture is about.

28:53The virtual reality of the internet is coming.

28:53Yeah.

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