I have already shone the spotlight on Derby artist John Straw and his decision to auction off a huge collection of his work but I make no apology for doing so again, writes Charles Hanson
John is leaving the city of his birth after 79 years to be closer to family in Warwickshire. His decision to downsize with wife Jill means they must part with more than 50 original framed paintings – many featuring his home county. Derbyshire-inspired artworks include View Towards Wirksworth, Overfields, Brailsford, Chestnut Trees, Beresford Dale, and Lane to Alstonefield.
He is also auctioning some unframed original paintings, including Woodland Walk, Markeaton; framed and unmounted prints; 12 international calendars featuring his art, a Crown Devon plate bearing a painting of Quarndon and sketch books containing pencil portraits of around 200 well-known politicians and celebrities.
John has many fans in and around the county who collect and display his art in their homes. They will be keen to know the auction date. It is June 20, part of Hansons’ June 16-20 Derbyshire Antiques and Collectors Auction. They may also be interested to learn that John will be attending a viewing event and giving a short talk at Etwall Auction Centre on Friday, June 17, from 2-3pm. Guests will have the opportunity to browse works set for auction and meet the man who created them. If you would like to attend, please email Hansons’ events manager Rachael Morley: [email protected].
If you love Derbyshire, this is a special opportunity, a chance to own an original John Straw painting, or something a little quirky, perhaps. His sketch books of celebrities are particularly fascinating. The entire collection is a unique gold-dust archive of his work – treasured items that have adorned his home and art studio in Mickleover. And it all started with a painting of a fieldfare on a plate for his mother.
This snippet of his early life features in a book about him, published for family members. It shows a picture of the humble fieldfare plate, an indicator of the burgeoning talent to emerge. At the time, John had no idea he would become a full-time professional artist.
He went on to paint around 3,000 original pictures in a career spanning more than 50 years. His work is displayed all over the world and has adorned numerous calendars and magazines.
John, who was born in Derby in 1943, first exhibited his work at Studio 5 in Chellaston in 1968. His first solo exhibition was in 1975 at Derbyʼs Guildhall. Demand for his art increased and in 1978 he became a full-time professional artist, bidding farewell to accountancy.
His paintings were inspired by the natural world, especially birds, animals and Derbyshire landscapes. Initially he made his name as a bird artist but his depiction of the countryside made landscapes his foremost subject. He loved to paint lesser-known countryside between Derby and Ashbourne in all seasons.
In 1980, after a sudden exhibition cancellation, he held his first art show at his Mickleover home studio. It was such a huge success the events continued annually until 2006. John enjoyed talking to his clients as much as selling his paintings. His commission book was always full afterwards.
In addition, he sold his work at craft fairs across the country including events held at Derbyshire’s Buxton Pavilion, Kedleston, Calke, Elvaston and Derby Assembly Rooms. His burgeoning career led to the production of limited-edition prints and many private commissions.
He retired in 2006 but continued to paint. However, in 2012 he was diagnosed with Parkinsonʼs Disease and gave up painting because of the severity of his tremor. This gradually improved with medication and a fellow Parkinsonʼs patient persuaded him to try painting again. To his delight he found he had far better control with a brush than with a pen and so began another phase in his career.
In 2015 and 2016 he submitted work to the Parkinsonʼs Disease UK Mervyn Peake Awards and had work exhibited at London’s Kings College and the OXO gallery on the South Bank. His 2016 painting of three sparrows prompted the charity to ask him to paint a Christmas Robin for their Christmas card catalogue. He’s designed a Christmas Robin card for Parkinsonʼs ever since. The 2022 card will be available from July.
Age and health issues have crept up on this wonderful Derby couple, prompting the difficult decision to move closer to family. John would like to say a huge thank-you to everyone who has enjoyed his art and made Derbyshire life so special for them. He hopes people will enjoy having the opportunity to bid on work he has treasured for years.
John Straw’s art will be offered on June 20 at Hansons, Heage Lane, Etwall, Derbyshire. Catalogue: www.hansonslive.co.uk.
Art Preview and talk with John Straw
People interested in acquiring John Straw art at auction can preview some of his paintings and sketches at a special preview event, attended by the artist, at Hansons’ saleroom in Etwall, near Derby. John will give a short talk and people will be free to browse items on Friday June 17 from 2-3pm. Places must be booked in advance by emailing Rachael Morley: [email protected].
