The core of Jon’s process is about responding to the landscape by drawing. He likes to go to places that have special meaning, where he feels a connection to the landscape. Jon makes many rapid sketches on large pieces of paper, using a mixture of limited art media. These drawing will often be collaged back at the studio, recomposing to create new works that give a feel of the landscape and the day; finding connections in the marks he has made. Sometimes this is enough and these re-compositions stay in sketchbooks but some are framed as fresh, energetic work in their own right. For fresh larger artworks, he uses the marks and textures as inspiration referring to drawings and collages – recalling the marks and energy, as far as possible, as he builds layers, typically on cradled wood panel or canvas.
Although Jon has a studio and works much of the time in mid-Wales he continues to be based on Cheshire where has lived for many years. It’s where his family has grown up. The land close by has prompted its own mythology: the fields, woods and trees alongside have sought names and stories from him. Relating to this immediate landscape has also been an important focus and inspiration for painting. He is also a regular visitor to specific places in Cornwall and the West coast of Scotland.
After graduating from Manchester University with a Creative Arts degree in the late 80s I have been an illustrator, a teacher and art specialist in education. Although I am a full time artist, exhibiting work all over the country, I continue to run art workshops maintaining that encouraging others to explore new methods makes me open to experimenting and new ideas.
