biography

John Pickering Fine Art

artist / illustrator

JOHN PICKERING BIOGRAPHY

Born in Barnard Castle, Co Durham in 1950, John initially studied under renowned artist Douglas Pittuck before going on to train as a Surface Pattern Designer, graduating from Manchester College of Art in 1972.

Moving back to the North East, John and his wife set up a successful weaving studio and art gallery before relocating to London in 1974 where they both worked at the Victoria & Albert Museum in South Kensington

Moving back to the North again in 1977, John set up in business as a silk-screen printer and graphic designer.

He returned to Manchester in 1984 to take a post graduate teaching diploma,(feeling the need to pass on some of his wide experience in the decorative arts field) which led to a long term lecturing post in Lincoln, where he specialised in Photography and Textile Design/Printing as well as Drawing and Painting.

Moving to the Scottish Highlands in 1996, John started working in Watercolour in earnest and used the time there to develop his landscape painting skills to the full.

Now back in his beloved North East, he paints full time from his studio at home in Barnard Castle, working exclusively in Watercolour and Bodycolour (gouache), and revels in the unique qualities of the medium, allowing him to work quickly and fluidly whilst still being able to retain naturalistic detail and texture where needed. With a recurring theme of Light & Shadow, his paintings tend to be graphic and illustrative, usually exploring built structures within the landscape. Most recently, John has concentrated on producing large images which try to capture the essence of the Northern Pennines where he now lives.

John's main influences have been mid-20th century British artists such as Ravilious, Bawden, Piper and Nash - all illustrators, printmakers and painters, so a reflection of his own career course and passions..