Born
in Reading, England in 1933, John’s
family immigrated to Canada in 1946, taking up residence
in Red Deer, Alberta. He started drawing at age four
and at age six had several drawings chosen by the
art selection committee to accompany an exhibit on
tour in Britain.
Taking
the musical road, John played drums in his high school
orchestra and city band and then with a variety of
orchestras and bands across Canada. He missed his
singing debut with the Edmonton Light Opera Company’s
presentation of ‘The Red Mill’ when he
broke his hand in a professional boxing bout. This
helped John come to the realization that perhaps it
would be more efficacious to become an Engineering
Draftsman - and he stayed with that for the next thirty
years.
John
and his wife, Moira Tetley, raised six children and
are presently enjoying the joys of eleven grandchildren.
Still residing in Alberta, John is dividing up his
retirement among a variety of pursuits; painting and
poetry among them.
John’s
paintings hang in many private and corporate collections
throughout the world. He is particularly proud of
his commission by the Shell Oil Company for fifteen
paintings of the Rocky Mountains of Alberta for the
International Oilmen’s Golf Tournament.
Collections:
The R. Angus Collection of Alberta Artists
A.E.
LePage Realty
Canadian Petroleum Association
Foothills Hospital
Alberta Government Permanent Collection
Triple Five Resources
Canadian
Rockies Now soon again to those gray towering monuments
shall we aspire - once more embrace those castles
of the west, whose probing peaks do pierce the
cloudlets base and block the path of eagles
face to face.
Tarry shall we till the day be done
when we must turn for home with lowering sun,
and leaving those dear hills we shall again
cast the backward glance - and still again,
as if to fix forever that last sight
of mountains in a distant mellow light.
