John was born in 1926 in the Hunan Province
of China. The family returned home in 1934. crossing the United States in an ancient Nash
motor-car in 19 days. His life-long interest in paintings and pictures started early when
his Merseyside prep-school was evacuated to a big country house in North Wales where the
walls were covered with beautiful Dutch sea-scapes and interiors. His time at Sedbergh
School in Cumbria during the war years coincided with the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool
sending their finest English water-colours to the school assembly hall to avoid German
bombing. Three years in the company of Steer, Cox, Girtin and Turner every morning was
bliss! After the Royal Navy, he qualified
as a teacher and worked in Norwich - another happy artistic influence. The Norwich School
of Painters produced the great 19th Century water-colourists such as the brothers Crome,
John Sell Cotman. Henry Bright. John Thirtle and others.
John has exhibited at the R.I. and was a member
of the old R.W.S. Art Club when they had their lovely gallery in Conduit Street. Although
John was never specifically trained as an Art Teacher, his special interest in drawing and
painting was helpful in running a multi-cultural Lower School where learning English as a
second language involved using all visual and oral skills.
Since retiring 13 years ago, John has painted
water-colours joyfully - and tries to teach others to do the same! |
