John Lewis Chapman

(1946 - )

John Chapman was born in Blackburn in 1946 and has lived there all his life.  He went to school at Bangor Street Secondary Modern, and while he did not distinguish himself as an academic, it was clear from the beginning that he was exceptionally talented as an artist. In 1961 Chapman left school at the age of 16.  His first job was working for the Lancashire Evening Telegraph as a layout artist.  After working there for two years he decided that he really wanted to study art on a full time basis, so he enrolled at Blackburn Art College for a one year pre-diploma course.

As John Chapman has always been fascinated by machinery, after completing his course he was offered a job as a technical illustrator based on the strength of his portfolio rather than any technical training he had received.  Within two years his firm had been taken-over by JCB, and it was at this point that his career took off.

Until then Chapman had been painting in every spare minute he had, purely for his own pleasure.  However, Anthony Bamford, the son of the owner of JCB, recognised his talent and commissioned the artist to paint one of his racing cars.  This marked a turning point in John Chapman's life.  For the first time the idea dawned upon the artist that he could actually sell the work which he so much enjoyed as a hobby.  At this time he travelled extensively in the north looking for galleries to exhibit his work often selling them for as little as £5.

In 1968 Chapman was forced into a decision, his job required him to move to Uttoxeter, which would entail him leaving his home town and all the familiar subjects that he so loved to paint.  At this time his primary interest was in steam locomotives, which had ceased to operate that year which in turn increased the demand for paintings of that subject.  This was instrumental in Chapman resigning from JCB and starting a new career as a professional artist. An eye for intricate detail and technical accuracy is the sound basis for the continuing success and demand for John Chapman's work.  His interest in transport machinery has led on to marine subjects and town scenes, set in both the Victorian era as well as the present day. He has now broadened his interests yet further to incorporate rural and agricultural scenes. These works serve to illustrate the way of life and the character of the figures of a bygone age in their authentic settings.

The artist who has had a discernible influence on Chapman's work is Turner.  In earlier works Chapman has drawn inspiration from Turner's use of dramatic lighting and colour to great effect.  His holidays are spent travelling around Britain making detailed sketches which are transformed into finished works back at his studio.  He paints in all mediums, favouring watercolour and gouache.

In recent years John Chapman has become one of this country's most outstanding artists and few have such a wide range of subjects. He has had several very successful exhibitions but remains surprisingly unchanged both in the quality of his work and his unassuming personality in the light of his considerable achievements.