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davebtelford · 02-07-2010, 06:44

I was at Accy Grammar with John in the early 60s (so he must have been born in 1947).

I was never artistically inclined - I didn't think much of Alan Butcher the art teacher, the only piece I did that was any good he accused me of having someone else help me with. "This is a too variegated a piece of work to have come from one hand." If I'd known what 'variegated' meant I'd have told him where to go!

I never took to John's work. I think he was initially very constrained by the cost of materials and the stuff this produced dictated his 'style'. It'll probably be worth a mint after he dies. He appeared in a series on TV about artists and their methods, producing I think a large, sombre rural scene which he said he wasn't happy with & ritually burnt.

He was later Artist in Residence at the National Gallery (?) - but I believe it's a limited term appointment so he's probably moved on now.

02-07-2010, 06:44	#12
davebtelford Full Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 293 Liked: 46 times Rep Power: 0	Re: JOHN VIRTUE, Accrington born lad I was at Accy Grammar with John in the early 60s (so he must have been born in 1947). I was never artistically inclined - I didn't think much of Alan Butcher the art teacher, the only piece I did that was any good he accused me of having someone else help me with. "This is a too variegated a piece of work to have come from one hand." If I'd known what 'variegated' meant I'd have told him where to go! I never took to John's work. I think he was initially very constrained by the cost of materials and the stuff this produced dictated his 'style'. It'll probably be worth a mint after he dies. He appeared in a series on TV about artists and their methods, producing I think a large, sombre rural scene which he said he wasn't happy with & ritually burnt. He was later Artist in Residence at the National Gallery (?) - but I believe it's a limited term appointment so he's probably moved on now.