John Thompson
Biography
Born in Oldham and fundamentally self taught, John paints a variety of subjects including views, people and nature. In the last part of his life, he enjoyed great commercial success as his reputation grew to be amongst other great, well known northern artists such as Harold Riley and l. S. Lowry.
He was born into the standard working class environment at the time, with his mother and father meeting after his father was demobilised from First World War Duties. From the families children, John was the only one to survive and was expected to leave his education and get a job as soon as he could. During this stage of his life, he switched between various jobs where, his passion and incredible talent for painting had to take a step backwards.
However, he could be found following his passion from time to time as he took up artistic roles for local railways to furniture shops. At the railway, he was asked to create tourist advertising posters, making trips more inviting for the public and at the shop, canvases to help set the mood in a particular space.
At the age of 56, he was made redundant yet again and decided to follow his passion for art, becoming a full time artist. He has achieved great success with his works, however when he first became a full time artist, things were not so simple. In his first year, he did not make much return for his works at all, only being able to pay for the gas in his room heater, however after moving to Uppermill, he began to make money, as a small group of collectors bought his works, knowing there were great things to come for this new artist.
He has now achieved a great level of success with a few of his paintings being hung in the Committee Rooms at the House of Lords. His works are collected both home and away with successful one man exhibitions in Manchester.
Regrettably, John died aged 87 in 2011
He was born into the standard working class environment at the time, with his mother and father meeting after his father was demobilised from First World War Duties. From the families children, John was the only one to survive and was expected to leave his education and get a job as soon as he could. During this stage of his life, he switched between various jobs where, his passion and incredible talent for painting had to take a step backwards.
However, he could be found following his passion from time to time as he took up artistic roles for local railways to furniture shops. At the railway, he was asked to create tourist advertising posters, making trips more inviting for the public and at the shop, canvases to help set the mood in a particular space.
At the age of 56, he was made redundant yet again and decided to follow his passion for art, becoming a full time artist. He has achieved great success with his works, however when he first became a full time artist, things were not so simple. In his first year, he did not make much return for his works at all, only being able to pay for the gas in his room heater, however after moving to Uppermill, he began to make money, as a small group of collectors bought his works, knowing there were great things to come for this new artist.
He has now achieved a great level of success with a few of his paintings being hung in the Committee Rooms at the House of Lords. His works are collected both home and away with successful one man exhibitions in Manchester.
Regrettably, John died aged 87 in 2011
