
Kumiko painted the area where her friend lived as a commission. Her friend lived in a renovated church, so she wanted Kumiko to emphasise its presence in that painting.
Kumiko gave it to her as a gift before she went back to Japan wishing her wonderful memories of living there. Her friend even liked the roundabout in that painting
because there aren't any of them in Japan.
The photo here was used by Kumiko as a model for this painting, 'St Stephens Court in Ealing'