History /Time Line
Timeline
This timeline provides some landmarks of Jon Peaty’s life in art. Some events not directly related to his art are provided as context.
Further biographical material will appear in the ‘About Jon Peaty’ section of this website as it becomes available. We welcome contact from anyone who remembers Jon, or has a story about his work or teaching. Contact us
1914
March 7th John Archibald Peaty born in Cardiff to Eleanor (later Nell/Midge) (nee Evans) and Archie EF Peaty, a dentist.
December 27th Baptized St Margaret’s – Roath, Wales
1914
1916
March 21st Sister Joan born
1916
1919 (aged 4 years)
Milford House School, Whitchurch Autumn term report
1919 (aged 4 years)
1920
Milford House School, Whitchurch Spring term report
1920
1920
Sister, Lorna, born.
1920
1921
St Winifred’s School, Radyr Summer term Report
1921
1922 (age 8 years)
Milford House School, Whitchurch. Summer term 1922 transition report
The Royal Drawing Society – Certificates and Honours in Division One and Preparatory
1922 (age 8 years)
1923
Enters The Cathedral School, Llandaff. (district of Cardiff).
Cathedral schools were established to educate boys who sang treble in the cathedral choirs.
The Llandaff school that John Peaty would have known was opened 1880 at The Cathedral Green in Llandaff village.
This is a ‘whole school’ photograph. John Peaty back row 5th from the right.
Roald Dahl 2nd row from front, 1st on the right. (partially masked by boy front right)
1923
1926 (aged 12 years)
September 21st starts boarding at Ellesmere College, Shropshire.
Ellesmere is one of the Woodard group of schools and lies in border country near Oswestry
1926 (aged 12 years)
1927
November 27th ‘Junior Literary and Debating Society’
“Peaty, assisted by Bale, gave a lecture on Wild Flowers. This showed considerable thought and care” (source The ‘Ellesmerian’ 1927)
1927
1928 (aged 14 years)
Summer Term – Prize for Drawing – Junior
1928 (aged 14 years)
1929
January Special Prizes – Drawing – Junior – Peaty
1929
1929 (aged 14 years)
February
JA Peaty plays the part of ‘Lady in attendance on the Countess’ in a production of Henry VIth Part 1
(John Peaty far right)
1929 (aged 14 years)
1930 January
Starts at City of Cardiff Technology College (now the University of Wales Institute – Cardiff
The first two years of students’ studies involved drawing from the antique, life and general drawing, anatomy, perspective and the history of architecture.
John completed one year at least. His anatomy drawing book survives.
A montage from that item appears above
1930 January
1931 or 1932 (aged 17/18 years)
Enters The Central School of Arts and Crafts in London.
Is taught by Bernard Meninsky, Morris Kesstleman and James Grant amongst others.
1931 or 1932 (aged 17/18 years)
1932 – 1936
Sometime during 1933 or 1934 JP came into the orbit of Walter Sickert and attended classes at Sickert’s atelier on Highbury Fields in North London.
John himself put it that he was ‘singled out for special tuition’ and spent about a year learning from the, then, aged painter. This would have been paid lessons.
The model of learning at Central School in the 1930’s was that students would be working part-time for newspapers, say, printers or other art studios and then undertake classes late afternoon and into the evenings.
JP described early jobs with Charles Knight and William Brown Printers. And freelancing at Crane Studios.
In a 1970’s newspaper article John describes himself as a Commercial Artist and Cartoonist in Fleet Street until 1939.
One anecdote concerned an agent by the name of Jack Arthur. Jack had an extensive archive of jokes for Cartoonists – a veritable joke factory – some 80000 on card files under subject headings. There were some 2000 just on the subject of ‘desert Islands’ for example!
1932 – 1936
Late 1930’s
A source of income augmentation during the late 1930’s was a kind of social entertainment. John would take sketching pads to pubs in central London and during banter round the piano punters would be challenged to make a quick squiggle or any ‘start mark’ on a sheet. From these random marks he would then fashion a recognisable or catchy image. The final trick would be to persuade onlookers to part with their cash in exchange for the finished work.
Those associated with the Central school were often involved with Theatre design and the burgeoning film industry. The painting of scenery would be the principal task. However those working on sets were often drafted in as ‘actor’ extras for crowd scenes. John worked on the film “Charlies (Big hearted) Aunt” at Shepherds Bush studios in 1940and can be seen in the one large crowd scene, as a member of the ‘theatre audience’.
Other sets that John worked on include the film “Fire over England” at Denham studios in 1937 and “a Yank at Oxford” in 1938
The model of learning at Central School in the 1930’s was that students would be working part-time for newspapers, say, printers or other art studios and then undertake classes late afternoon and into the evenings.
JP described early jobs with Charles Knight and William Brown Printers. And freelancing at Crane Studios.
In a 1970’s newspaper article John describes himself as a Commercial Artist and Cartoonist in Fleet Street until 1939.
One anecdote concerned an agent by the name of Jack Arthur. Jack had an extensive archive of jokes for Cartoonists – a veritable joke factory – some 80000 on card files under subject headings. There were some 2000 just on the subject of ‘desert Islands’ for example!
Late 1930’s
1938
This photo shows John talking with a fellow student at Central, Mary Kessell. Photo taken in the entrance hall of the Central School of Arts and Crafts, Southampton Row.
1938
1939
March. Shares Chancery Lane studio space with Wolfgang Hildersheimer and also with Anthony Froshaug
During this period Hildershiemer notes that John is the art editor of a new magazine but we have nothing more specific about this at the time of writing.
A Hildesheimer letter to his parents suggests that John also has a 10 guinea job to create a dust jacket for the novel ‘Gone with the wind’. We have no record of whether that job was successfully completed.
1939
(1939-1946) War Years
At some stage, either just pre-war or during the war years the Artist makes the decision to drop the ‘h’ from his first name and work under the title “Jon Peaty”
In 1939 the special national Census notes that JP resides at 133 Highbury New Park a multi-occupancy house. Occupation is noted as ‘Commercial Artist’
In late 1939 John has studio space in Parton Street.
This is later bombed in the war and all of John’s early art work is destroyed or lost.
(1939-1946) War Years
1941
Is now enlisted with the Welch Regiment. 2nd lieutenant and later Captain. Trains in Ireland. Stationed for a while at the old power station and the Shoreham School (Kingston Lane) in Southwick, West Sussex.
October – Meets Mary Joy Fellingham at the ‘NAB’ club, Southwick (near the Schooner pub).
Sent engagement ring to Mary on her birthday.
1941
1942
January – Marriage to Mary Joy Fellingham in Hove.
May – Posted to Africa – eventually Kenya Nairobi. Spends rest of the war in Kenya.
Was staff officer in camouflage using artistic skills for wartime purposes.
Is involved with colonials and continues to nurture his theatre interests through stage settings at the Theatre Royal Niarobi – the Garrison Theatre.
Also contributes graphic and cartoon work for forces publications
1942
1944
Wins Nairobi sub division golf tournament.
Rejoins the Artist International Association
1944
1945
Holds a one-man exhibition in Nairobi before demobilisation
1945
1946
Returns to England and (re) starts married life after 4 years away.
December – Daughter, Lorna, born.
1946
1947
Lives on a houseboat (The Shorehame) below the ‘Schooner’ pub In the Lady Bee Yard on Aldrington basin in Southwick, West Sussex
November. Has joined the Southwick Players – Plays Bingley in Elizabeth and D’arcy. Immediately encouraged to help with set designs. (Photos x2)
Also a member of Unity Theatre Society Ltd at this time.
1947
1948
Sets up ‘Design projects’ in Hove
Later sets up as a commercial artist in Waterloo Street Hove:
1948
1949
Murals, signage, advertising and shop décor work undertaken.
A mural work is created for the penthouse of the Metropole Hotel in Brighton.
Frieze decorations are applied to the ceilings of the newly refurbished tea room on the West Pier in Brighton
1949
1949
During a freak storm in January the ‘Shorehame’ houseboat was lodged under a jetty and the family had to abandon their first home.
1949
1949
A fellow member of Southwick Players, Ivan Birch, recognising the plight of the family, offers lodgings at 46 Southdown Road, Southwick, West Sussex, the home of he and the elderly Mrs Birch, affectionately known as Granny Birch.
A portrait of of her is above
1949
1949
May: Inauguration of Southwick Art Club. Jon is founder member and Honorary Secretary.
Illustrates various local brochures. including first History of Southwick Community Centre.
1949
1949
First Annual Exhibition of the Club. ‘Jon’ shows three works in oils:
Rift Valley Approaches, Kenya (5 Guineas)
Lorna (5 Guineas)
Shoreham Harbour (5 Guineas)
December – Daughter, Susan Carol, born.
1949
The 1950’s
Throughout the 1950’s Jon creates settings for almost all of the Southwick players’ productions.
He also acts in and directs many productions.
Moves to newly built council house, Downsway, Southwick.
Painting continues, but not as the main source of income.
The 1950’s
1951
Design for cover of Southwick’s ‘Festival of Britain’ Brochure.
1951
1952
Commutes to London. Freelance work at various London Art studios and
begins long association with the Bayley/Souster partnership based in studios where Fleet Street meets The Strand.
Major contracts for shop ‘mobiles’ and packaging design.
View Jon’ Commercial Design here
1952
1954
July – Son, David, born.
1954
Mid through to late 1950’s
Commercial design work continues.
Set design work continues.
Oil Painting continues.
Illustration work appears in Children’s Annuals – Eagle, Swift and Girl.
Mid through to late 1950’s
Mid through to late 1950’s
Commercial design work continues.
Set design work continues.
Oil Painting continues.
Illustration work appears in Children’s Annuals – Eagle, Swift and Girl.
Mid through to late 1950’s
1957
Family move to 82 Downland Avenue, Southwick.
1957
1958
One-man exhibition of paintings at The Vincitori Gallery, Brighton.
May: Daily Express half page illustrated story board of bank robbery.
The Brighton and Hove Gazette reported the artist’s exploits of that day in their ‘diary’ later in the week:
“Lightning Strip: Being an artist isn’t all sitting around just
waiting for inspiration. Sometimes its downright hectic.
Freelance commercial artist Jon Peaty, who lives in Southwick was very much a lightning artist yesterday.
He was at home eating his lunch when the phone rang…. a national newspaper wanted him in London to illustrate a big news story – at once.
His wife drove him to the station…. train to London…. taxi to Fleet Street.
There, the art editor gave him two hours to draw a half-page cartoon strip illustrating a bank robbery. He drew it while the story was still coming in over the phone. He drew it while the story was still coming in over the phone.
The job done artist Peaty then turned actor. Taxi back to Victoria…. train to Hove… taxi home. He just had time for a cup of tea and a shave before dashing to Southwick Barn Theatre to play the Major in Southwick Players version of Terence Rattigan’s ‘Separate Tables’. ‘I just made it by the skin of my teeth’ Jon told me. When I got home last night I sank down in a chair and I thought ‘WHAT A DAY’
1958
1959
Press article ‘Meet a ‘back room boy’ in the ‘Local Limelight by Thespis.” Section. The item reports Jon’s contribution to set designs at the Players.
JP is currently chairman of Southwick Players.
Suggests that he recently ran a short course for newer members.
1959
The 1960’s
In the early years of the 1960’s Jon decides to attempt a living from his painting – moving away from commercial design.
However, the commercial work continues as a supplement to income whilst Jon gradually builds his career as a professional landscape and portrait painter.
During this decade he also begins, from here on, his practice of teaching painting.
The success that is built in both selling paintings and teaching during the 1960’s provides the foundation for his working habits for the following 30 years of his life.
The 1960’s
1961
At some point in the early 60’s JP sets up his own ‘painting for pleasure’ classes These take place variously in Southwick, Hove and Henfield Village Hall
Takes studio rooms in, variously, a house on Southwick Green, a garret in Adelaide Square in Hove.
1961
1962
Exhibition at Vincitori Gallery, Brighton
Starts a 10 year-long association with the American Women’s club at Cadogan Gardens in London. Leads weekly painting classes and seminars between 1962 and 1972.
During this period Jon also paints over 150 portraits of American’s – commissioned through his work and association with the club.
Jon also continues, during a transition to painting, on commercial design work through his agent, Eric Souster.
1962
1963
Father: Archie E. Peaty dies.
Works at home from a studio he has built in the back garden of 82 Downland Avenue Southwick.
Exhibition at Vincitori Gallery Brighton
Exhibition at Regency Gallery Brighton
Exhibition at the Langford Hotel in Hove
1963
1964
May/June. One-man exhibition of paintings Rose and Crown – Fletching, East Sussex.
At some point in the mid 1960’s takes on rental of a Chelsea studio:
1964
Circa 1965
From around this time Jon derives all of his income from painting and the teaching of painting.
Starts association with Ditchling Gallery, then at 30, High Street, Ditchling, West Sussex.
Circa 1965
1966
Exhibition at the Ditchling Gallery
Jon is on the panel of painters for the ‘Galleon Painting Holiday’ organisation and teaches every year through to 1980 at venues across Britain and on continental Europe.
Father in-law, Frank Fellingham, dies.
1966
1967
Exhibition at the Ditchling Gallery.
1967
1968
Grandson, Ben Gill, born.
November 13th – December 24th Exhibition (with others) at the Thackeray Gallery run by Priscilla Anderson, 18 Thackeray Street, London W8. The catalogue states:
……. His first one-man exhibition was held during the war in Kenya, and his most recent (the seventh) at the Ditchling Gallery in Sussex.
1968
1969
August: Teaches on his own course – ‘The Search for a Painting’ at West Sussex College of Art, Union Place, Worthing.
1969
The 1970’s
Jon is now painting continuously for a living.
Moves to North Yorkshire and refreshes his career by remaking himself as a professional ‘Yorkshire’ landscape and portrait painter.
The 1970’s
1970
Ditchling Gallery exhibition.
Grandson Anthony Roberts born.
August: Tutoring own course “Creating a Portrait” at the West Sussex School of Art in Union Place Worthing.
First exhibition of paintings in America – Maxwell Gallery, California
Pantechnicon Galleries, San Francisco;
Mill Valley and Village galleries in Fairfax California.
1970
1971
February 23rd – 27th ‘Waltz of the Toreadors’: JP guest directs a play for Wick Theatre Company. Southwick, West Sussex. This turns out to be his final theatre production.
September 5th – October 17th Exhibition at ‘The Hole in the Wall’ Pelham Yard, Seaford. (tenth season of exhibitions at this venue)
November: Tutoring in portraiture at The Old Rectory, Fittleworth, West Sussex
1971
1972
February/March – teaches final sequence of classes at The American Women’s Club. Cadogan Gardens, London
July: Worthing “Paint-in” – Technique and Imagination. At the West Sussex College of Art, Union Place, Worthing, West Sussex.
August: Tutoring on Galleon Painting week at St Mary’s College, Durham.
Exhibition at Ditchling Gallery.
1972
1973
‘Galleon’ teaching continues.
The artist had visited Yorkshire frequently since the early 1950’s when his parents retired to Scarborough; his sisters also moved to the area.
His love of the Yorkshire landscape had grown over 20 years and this, coupled with the desire for a fresh start and – ‘to leave the rat race that is the South’ – as he then put it – leads to a move to Orchard Cottage, Westow, North Yorkshire.
He immediately sets up by having a studio built in the garden. He also begins mutual arrangement for the selling of his work with the Austen Hayes Gallery in ‘The Shambles’ in York.
May ’73 edition of ‘Leisure Painter’- Article: ‘Portrait Painting – the great challenge’ by Jon Peaty:
1973
1974
September: One-man exhibition at the Austen Hayes Galleries in The Shambles, York
Grandson, Tom Gill born.
1974
1975
October: Exhibition of recent paintings of Jon Peaty with Patrick Hall at the Austen Hayes Galleries in The Shambles, York
1975
1976
October:. One-man Exhibition at the Austen Hayes Galleries.
Additional outlet for paintings at the ‘Look’ Gallery in Helmsley, North Yorkshire. Exhibits in Helmsley through to 1986.
1976
1977
Jubilee events in Westow. Contributes artistic skills in preparation of events.
1977
1979
Granddaughter, Lucy Knock born.
Later in the year artist experiences severe ill-health. Undergoes major surgery.
1979
The 1980’s
By April Jon recovered sufficiently to be back to painting and teaching.
Painting and teaching continue throughout the 1980’s though at a reduced rate of output. There is however no let-up in the joy taken in observing his main subjects: nature, the landscape and people. There is also continued satisfaction from teaching his own art courses at Westow Croft and at Wyedale Hall in Yorkshire.
Regular encouragement is given to keen amateur artists through local art groups across North Yorkshire.
The 1980’s
1984
Mother, Eleanor, ‘Midge’ dies.
Jon and Mary move to Hunters Way, Norton, North Yorkshire.
1984
1985
Whitby Art society – speaker at annual dinner.
1985
1987
Peaty’s work titled ‘Kirkcudbright Wood Mill’ appears on pages 120-1
of the following book:
Ranson, R. (1987) Watercolour Fast and Loose. David and Charles
(Techniques in Watercolour series) pages 120-1. With an acknowledgement on page 4.
Ranson comments:
“ I saw this painting in a converted cow stall behind a pub on the Yorkshire moors, and fell in love with it immediately, but felt that the price was a bit too much for me at the time and left. After a sleepless night I drove back sixty miles the next day to buy it! Years later I met the artist who had joined one of my workshops in Durham. The picture has all the qualities I admire, especially the sweeping, simplified foreground which I’m constantly showing to my students. The wet into wet tree on the right contrasts with the sharp crispness of the adjacent buildings. The eye sweeps over the foreground and is carried round the edge of the water to finish on the tiny post in the distance. The two figures are also well placed with their heads counterchanged against the light patch on the buildings. The dark cloud on the left helps to balance the masses on the right. All in all, a thoroughly satisfying picture.” (p120)
1987
1989
July: 12th Annual Exhibition of work by Ryedale Artists held at the Milton Rooms, Malton North Yorkshire.
Exhibited the following work by invitation:
The Thames, Swinford (Watercolour)
Old Boat Shed
White Sails
Lucy
Mother-in-law, Dorothy Fellingham dies.
1989
1990
Recurrence of ill-health. Continues to work but at a slower pace.
1990
1991
Death of Jon Peaty, Saturday January 26th at Hunters Way, Norton, North Yorkshire.
1991