Jonathan was born in 1966 and raised near the market town of Leek in the heart of the Staffordshire Moorlands. He spent much of his childhood exploring the countryside in the company of his father, Keith, a more than competent painter himself. In his late teens and early twenties Jonathan struggled to find a direction. He studied courses in Philosophy, Theology and Fine Art before qualifying as an Occupational Therapist working with people experiencing severe mental health problems.
He moved to Devon in 1991 where he now lives with his wife Frances and sons Laurie & Henry. The inspiration of Dartmoor and the countryside around Exeter has given new impetus to his interest in depicting the badgers, foxes and voles that his naturalist’s eye observes everywhere. His animals are always rooted in the soil, as much a part of the landscape as the sky and the trees. His rare ability to give to each of them their unique characteristics and personas, while dressing them up in old cast off human garments never robs them of their intrinsic “animalness”.
Although rooted in the heritage of English illustration it is Jonathan’s unerring draughtsmanship and his humour that nevertheless makes his work unmistakably contemporary. His pallet, because it is always true to the siennas and ochres of the real landscape, may at first appear muted. His characters, however, are of the mould and grime of the soil, unsentimental and honest.
Painting has always been central for Jonathan, a passion, and has been published as a children’s book illustrator along the way.
Jonathan was great friends with Mick Cawston and it was his influence that led to Mick’s hugely popular ‘Cheers’ and ‘Lamping’ prints, and of course his introduction to Sally Mitchell in the Spring of 2002. Finding his work appealing led to the publishing of two of his paintings as limited edition prints almost immediately. Although new to her stable of artists, Jonathan has enticed the public with his talent, with the sale of his prints and originals. Sally believes his portfolio of original paintings will go to print for many years to come.
2008 sees his career still going strong with over 50 Ltd edition prints after his name and an ever widening 'gaggle' of collectors enchanted by his work.
. | 
