Ghosts of St Martins Lane, 2023

Jonathan Stewardson  

Born in London in 1963, Jonathan was raised predominantly in Canvey Island, Essex, as well as travelling the world with his father, for his work. Jonathan started painting and drawing from an early age, and missed the end of his schooling so that he could pursue a career as an artist.

During his early 20’s however, he worked as a builder until he could rely on the income from his art and could devote more time to his real work. His paintings concentrate on atmosphere and emotion. The people that are rarely depicted are separate from the picturesque scene around them. He creates works that are introspective studies of life, from both the city and his home.

His London scenes offer a contradiction from the busy, bustling urban life and show an emptier, stiller, yet more personal perspective of the chaos around them. Jonathan catches those silent glimpses of time and holds them fixed in the canvas. The viewer is then able to connect more personally to the work, adding another dimension to the artist’s vision.

His home now is in Deal, Kent, where he takes constant inspiration from his life and those around him.

In Jonathan Stewardson’s Words

"I paint mostly in oil on plywood and canvas. Having covered most subjects over the years, my favourite is London, which is where I was born in 1963. My pictures are often an attempt to paint memories. Some happier than others. And though I wouldn't have wished it at the time, I feel privileged to have experienced such depths of emotion."

My career started when I realised how much fun it was to cover a wall with elephants, and then my first income was from sketching portraits at 50p each. Not bad for an 8 year old in the 70s. But it wasn't until the turn of the century that it became my only job, I do love painting, though it can be a little frustrating at times. My aim is to try and catch a bit of atmosphere/emotion in my work. Previous commissions include The Crowned Prince of Dubai and The King of Saudi Arabia.

Jonathan

PS...If you've ever stayed in the Burj Al Arab hotel in Dubai, you've already seen a lot of my work from the 90s."