'John and Mimi With Tim' by Stephen Bower, John Lennon, England, 1982

Description

A charming and fresh portrait of the musician and composer standing in front of Mendips, the house where he was … more A charming and fresh portrait of the musician and composer standing in front of Mendips, the house where he was mostly raised by his mother's sister Mimi, with his aunt standing behind him holding her large ginger and white cat, Timmy, that he grew up with.

Signed lower left, 'S. Bower'; additionally inscribed with dedication verso 'To Mrs. Smith - Best Wishes, S. Bower', titled 'John Lennon with his Aunt Mimi and Tim at Mendips' and dated October 1982.

This listed English plein-air painter, attended Manchester College of Art from 1970 to 1974 and currently lives in Totnes, Devon. He describes himself as "a colorist who is inspired by flower gardens, especially English cottage gardens in early summer. I have spent successive summers painting in Monet’s garden at Giverny, Northern France."

Most of his work is in oils and is built up in successive layers over a period of days or weeks. He prefers not to work from photographs and but prefers to base his compositions on direct observations or on drawings made previously in these places.

Exhibitions:
Nothern Young Contemporaries, Liverpool – 1974
Marlborough Gallery, London (Buddy Holly Exhibition) – 1983
Plymouth University – 1988
International Arts, Grenoble – 1994
Pallette D’Or, Paris – 1994
Marciac Jazz Museum, France – 1997
British Modern Painting, Exeter – 1997
Monte Carlo Opera House, Monaco – 1997
Monte Carlo Opera House, Monaco – 1998
Exeter Festival, Exeter – 2001
Exeter University, Exeter – 2002
Honiton Festival – 2002
Musgrove Park Hospital – 2002
Exeter University, Exeter – 2003

*Courtesy of View Two Gallery Online, United Kingdom. less