Jim was a self taught Artist, his mum once told me that when he was about 4 years old, she would give him a large brush and bucket of water and he would paint their garden fence, it would keep him quiet for some hours. We met when both 18, and initially he painted phsycadelic posters but a few years on he copied a John Constable painting and that was the beginning of his professional work. Where ever we lived he would venture out by bus, train or on his moped, usually creating a watercolour of what he saw, taking photos and then maybe using that information to create an Oil painting later. We were together for 50 years when he passed away at 68 after 9 months illness. His memory lives on through his children and grand children. Between us we have chosen to keep some of his works that hold special memories. He painted to exhibit and sell his work and I am continuing that process on his behalf. Its a joy to see others enjoy and admire his work and so his Legacy will live on. I hope you enjoy what you see.
The Festival shop was the creation of my self (Lin McDonald) and our son Vincent in 2014. We attended several festivals across the UK and Europe. Our products were tie-dyed Ts, for adults and children and some water bags. The Ts have screen printed images on front or back that were created from designs of either Vincent or Jim, so our Ts are unique to our lable. With Jim becoming ill and then passing, I don’t think I am likely to take my shop to festivals now but I wouldn’t rule it out. In the meantime, I have added them to this site.
As a family of creative individuals, it is great to have an opportunity to display items that any of us create. I have tie-dyed baby-grows made some dresses that I then tie-dyed. I have experimented with reverse dying, where black items are tied and bleached. As we had some Ts that were faulty or damaged, I have been cutting them up and making bags from them. I have been dressmaking since I was 9, became professional in my late 20’s and later began teaching the skills in adult education. Now retired I have time to try many crafts. There are head bands and fairy wings in the making and resin craft is on my list. If any of this interests you, then save our site and pop back again to see whats new. Bye for now.
