An Ipswich artist has said he still can’t get his head around the fact that the King has seen his artwork, embossed on special coins to celebrate the Red Arrows birthday.

Matthew Emeny has been painting fulltime since 2019, when his second career as an artist grew so successful that he was able to make a living from his paintbrush alone.

The father-of-five and former healthcare assistant said that for him, his love for art began in childhood, growing up in Chelmondiston near Pin Mill, and spending days photographing the barges down by the river for him to paint at home.

Mr Emeny never had any formal artistic training – which made it even more of a surprise to receive a telephone call out of the blue from the Westminster Collection last summer.

Matthew Emeny, holding the set of five commemorative 50p coins he designed for the Red Arrows 60th birthday. Image: Matthew EmenyMatthew Emeny, holding the set of five commemorative 50p coins he designed for the Red Arrows 60th birthday. Image: Matthew Emeny (Image: Matthew Emeny) Matthew Emeny said that he loved to paint anything from landscapes to portraits, but that he has an interest in aviation painting. Pictured, his panting 'Unmistakable'. Image: Matthew EmenyMatthew Emeny said that he loved to paint anything from landscapes to portraits, but that he has an interest in aviation painting. Pictured, his panting 'Unmistakable'. Image: Matthew Emeny (Image: Matthew Emeny)

The collection, which distributes collectible coins and stamps for milestone occasions, wanted him to design a set of five 50p coins to mark the Red Arrows 60th anniversary, with Mr Emeny having been recommended to them by another artist.

“The thing that really threw me off was when they told me the designs would be approved by the RAF and the government - and the King!” said Mr Emeny.

He set to work, having to learn to paint designs without his usual, intricate detail, as this would be lost on a 50p coin.

After almost a year, he can now share his designs with the world. The five coins show the Red Arrows before five iconic landmarks from around the UK – Tower Bridge in London, Edinburgh Castle, the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff, City Hall in Belfast and Mount Orgueil in Jersey.

Matthew Emeny's painting, 'Reds over London'. Image: Matthew EmenyMatthew Emeny's painting, 'Reds over London'. Image: Matthew Emeny (Image: Matthew Emeny) 'Coming Home' by Matthew Emeny. He said that he normally likes to paint in intricate detail. Image: Matthew Emeny'Coming Home' by Matthew Emeny. He said that he normally likes to paint in intricate detail. Image: Matthew Emeny (Image: Matthew Emeny) The five commemorative 50p coins designed by Matthew Emeny to celebrate the Red Arrows 60th anniversary. Image: Matthew EmenyThe five commemorative 50p coins designed by Matthew Emeny to celebrate the Red Arrows 60th anniversary. Image: Matthew Emeny (Image: Matthew Emeny)

These coins will be collectors’ coins, rather than in general circulation.

It was surreal moment when Mr Emeny realised that a special gold set of these coins would be carried in the flight suit of each Red Arrows pilot during their flypast for last week’s Trooping of the Colour.

“Their path is almost over my house, and I heard them flying over,” said Mr Emeny. “I just thought, wow – my designs are up there!

“I still can’t get my head around this. Starting as a hobby artist as a child and getting to this – it’s been a roller coaster. This is the highlight for me as an artist.”

To view more of Matthew Emeny’s artwork, click here