Alan House... long time family friend and author of 'Sixty Years A Spiritualist' first published by Hermes in 1995. Alan became interested in Spiritualism in 1934 and during his life was privileged to sit with some of the finest mediums within a movement he saw grow over the past sixty years. After undertaking five years of military service he became involved with spiritual healing at the Queens Road Christian Spiritualist Church and was a member of a small, dedicated home circle which met for over sixteen years prior to his passing. Alan crossed the Bridge of Life to 'The Adult World' at the turn of the new millennium where he continues I am sure, to inspire those of us that knew him. The book cover features White Feather... Alan's spirit guide.

However, what makes this painting quite unique is the fact that it was created by the hands of a psychic artist... Mrs. Margaret Bevan. Lone Arrow was, to use a spiritualist term, "in spirit" when this painting was created on 2nd August, 1950 in Great Britain.

ALAN HOUSE

The painting came to our family during troubled times and as a gift from my father's life long friend, the late Alan H. House. Alan was a spiritualist and devoted sixty years of his life to his belief system. He was particularly involved with 'Rescue Circles'... freeing or rescuing lost or 'Earthbound' spirits, his book 'Sixty Years A Spiritualist' was published in 1995. Whether you 'believe' or not is of no matter, Alan became a friend of mine as he suffered in the 'final test' of old age. The mark of the man is the fact that he devoted his life to helping people, many who have not yet passed... "into spirit".

Alan describes in his book how he witnessed the creation of Lone Arrow's portrait...

The same group with whom I shared the sittings with Helen Duncan and Leslie Flint gathered around a huge dining table at our leader's Northwood home, five sitters and Mrs. Bevan the medium. In front of Mrs. Bevan were a number of sheets of black drawing paper, a small container of clear water, mohair paint brush and some white water paint. After a short opening prayer, she appeared to be fully conscious when, in but a few moments, her right hand took up the brush, and begun to paint. Seeming almost oblivious of this activity, the lady chatted brightly with each member of the group, one by one giving the name and relationship of the subject of each painting as it appeared. At no time did I notice her so much as glance at a picture until completed, when she casually lifted and gave it to the group member concerned.

Even more amazing was the unbelievable speed at which her hand, holding the brush worked. Several images were of spirit guides, and one in particular I shall never forget. A full feather headdress was painted at such speed that the hand became a mere blur in my vision. While I did not actually time the work, I am sure that not one of the fifteen or so produced took more than ninety seconds, yet each was amazingly lifelike, and in such cases as people known to us, and passed over, easily recognised.

Only when her artist control had completed his work did Margaret fan into trance and 'Johannes,' a Tibetan Lama when last incarnate, gave us each an explanatory and encouraging message.

I too, am an artist and I have tried to reproduce the image of my friend before now with difficulty. Whenever I study the painting... I find myself in awe of just how much visual information is created... out of a surprisingly small amount of brush strokes.

Lone Arrow is a part of who I am... and probably has been around for most of my life. Today, his portrait hangs in my room. Lone Arrow is my friend and often I feel his inspiration... and his strength. Lone Arrow is also a friend ... to any one who may need one.