Biography of John Carwithen

I have painted since 8 years old as far as I remember, but memory of my childhood is poor for some reason, so probably before that. I remember things stepping up a gear aged 11, when I discovered the joy of oil paint in the form 'painting by numbers' if that rings any bells with you.

I did a couple of these pictures, which were characterized by small areas of flat colour, that sort of looked like a picturesque scene if you squinted hard enough, and then decided, enough was enough, and the way of the Old Masters was the way to go. I always was a bit ambitious when it came to art, born with the attitude that if someone else can do it, so can I, whether art or anything else. Well that is true to an extent, but sometimes the success of such a target is just too much like hard work and nearly kills me - I am for example vertically challenged and basketball ball would be a ridiculous ambition. The trick is to only go for things you have a hunch you may have an aptitude for in the first place! We all have to play confidence building games.

Well this hunch paid off, because I took to oil paint very quickly and it's charisma didn't intimidate me. They are few options with oil if you want to be reserved and not commit too much too soon. It is an immediate medium, with a solidity and form that lifts above the surface you paint it onto. It's not for wimps.

It does however have the ability to be used very carefully for delicate effects once you get a feel for it. It has a tremendous range of expression, so could depict a fragile membrane to a lump of lead!