About The Artist

Drawing and painting have been a lifelong passion for me since childhood. Encouraged by my father who was to be my sternest critic and also my greatest champion. My teachers who would be fascinated by my drawings of places I had been to or simply seen in a photograph. Drawn from memory, imagination and observation. I completed a foundation year at West Sussex College of Design in Worthing. Shortly after, the harsh realities of making a living set in and I trained in teaching at King Alfreds College Winchester and gained a B.Ed Hons.

Throughout my years as a teacher, I pursued my interests as an artist as well. Painting particularly the coast and countryside of Kent, where I lived; its oasthouses, churches, castles and even windmills. I enjoy painting scenes of my home country of Britain as well as boats, trains and animals. My more experimental themes include my chess pictures and 3D paintings, as can be seen from my catalogue.

The magic of painting for me is in the image. I love the 3D effect. Creating the feeling of depth and perspective. Then there is the capture of detail. I love to make ripples look like ripples, a beech tree like a beech tree or a cumulus-nimbus like a proper thundercloud. I enjoy capturing the effects of light making objects look round and solid: the glint of light on a puffing steam engine or the shadow cast by a tree across the ground or a across a shoulder.

I like to think that when you look at my paintings there is always something new to look at. To discover and to appreciate. My art is about sharing my experience and wonder of the visual world with you.

John Lawrence Hawke is a British artist living in London.