Jon Swallow is an architect by profession who likes water colour painting. Now more or less retired from architecture – a successful career that has taken him from urban and rural England to the towering peaks of modernity in Dubai – his time is now much occupied with his 600 gsm water colour paper, his “big brushes” and a Suffolk scene in front of him. ..
Following recent exhibitions in Southwold, Lavenham, and Eastbridge, in July his work was on show n at the Old Print Works Gallery, upstairs at that delightful emporium, H G Crisp on Saxmundham High Street. As well as newspapers, magazines, stationery, gifts, new and second hand books and CDs, H G Crisp is quite an arts centre with artists’ supplies and a permanent show of prints and artworks along with regular exhibitions. To call the establishment “old fashioned” would be a genuine compliment.
If you want a breath of fresh air and an evocation of our gentle and beautiful countryside, Jon’s beautifully stated water colour paintings are well worth seeking out, and though not on show at a gallery at this moment, he may be contacted for a viewing – see below.
NOTE: as at time of writing, several of Jon’s watercolours may be seen at Emma’s Frame Shop, in Saxmundham High Street.
Jon and his wife Su settled in Suffolk 12 years ago. He says “It is really only since moving to Suffolk that my lifelong hobby has had a chance to develop into a way of life. Partly because I’ve more or less retired as an architect and partly because I find the landscape around our home inspirational”. Home for Jon (pronounced “Yon”) and Su is three terraced cottages in Eastbridge, close to Minsmere. They live in two and the third is a holiday let.
Walls of their home are lined with Jon’s work (unless it is away on exhibition) and if there should be something like a sunny day and you take the glorious walk down the lane from Minsmere to Eastbridge you may find the house/gallery open for a viewing. “I have sold a lot of paintings like this”, Jon told me.
I asked Jon which of the works on show is his favourite. He walked straight to a painting of the reed beds at Minsmere. What pleased him, he told me, was of capturing the feeling of the reeds with a broad sweep rather than painting them in detail. Exactly.
For my wife and me, the one below is the one we liked and which, now that the exhibition at Crisp’s is over, graces our home.
“Land Laid Bare” – by Jon Swallow
Although we didn’t have much opportunity to talk much about food and wine, Jon told me with enthusiasm of a Sancerre he buys from a wine merchant in Aldeburgh, who, on hearing he and Su were going to France, gave them an introduction to the winemaker. “We had a wonderful time”, he said. (I am at one with him on the matter of Sancerre)
Jon likes to work on Fabriano Artistico 600 gsm Rough paper, using big brushes, often painting wet on wet and allowing ‘mistakes’ to enhance the finished work. He chooses a palette that is sympathetic to the landscape – including French ultramarine blue, burnt umber and yellow ochre. Vast falling skies, winter trees, wet marshes, windswept reed beds and wildlife are among his favourite subjects.
(Above) Jon and Su Swallow at the exhibition at H G Crisp
If the weather allows, he works outside, otherwise making quick pencil or paint sketches (and occasionally photographs) in situ, to develop back in the studio.
No expert though I am, I think I detect the architect’s eye for line and design in Jon’s work, which, with his broad brush produces for me the feeling of oneness that I have when taking in the vistas from the pathways that criss-cross our local countryside. As Mammon always has a view in matters of this kind, I am bound to add that I think Jon’s charges for his work are exceptionally reasonable.
JON SWALLOW–Suffolk Water Colours
Jon Swallow is an architect by profession who likes water colour painting. Now more or less retired from architecture – a successful career that has taken him from urban and rural England to the towering peaks of modernity in Dubai – his time is now much occupied with his 600 gsm water colour paper, his “big brushes” and a Suffolk scene in front of him. ..
Following recent exhibitions in Southwold, Lavenham, and Eastbridge, in July his work was on show n at the Old Print Works Gallery, upstairs at that delightful emporium, H G Crisp on Saxmundham High Street. As well as newspapers, magazines, stationery, gifts, new and second hand books and CDs, H G Crisp is quite an arts centre with artists’ supplies and a permanent show of prints and artworks along with regular exhibitions. To call the establishment “old fashioned” would be a genuine compliment.
If you want a breath of fresh air and an evocation of our gentle and beautiful countryside, Jon’s beautifully stated water colour paintings are well worth seeking out, and though not on show at a gallery at this moment, he may be contacted for a viewing – see below.
NOTE: as at time of writing, several of Jon’s watercolours may be seen at Emma’s Frame Shop, in Saxmundham High Street.
Jon and his wife Su settled in Suffolk 12 years ago. He says “It is really only since moving to Suffolk that my lifelong hobby has had a chance to develop into a way of life. Partly because I’ve more or less retired as an architect and partly because I find the landscape around our home inspirational”. Home for Jon (pronounced “Yon”) and Su is three terraced cottages in Eastbridge, close to Minsmere. They live in two and the third is a holiday let.
Walls of their home are lined with Jon’s work (unless it is away on exhibition) and if there should be something like a sunny day and you take the glorious walk down the lane from Minsmere to Eastbridge you may find the house/gallery open for a viewing. “I have sold a lot of paintings like this”, Jon told me.
I asked Jon which of the works on show is his favourite. He walked straight to a painting of the reed beds at Minsmere. What pleased him, he told me, was of capturing the feeling of the reeds with a broad sweep rather than painting them in detail. Exactly.
For my wife and me, the one below is the one we liked and which, now that the exhibition at Crisp’s is over, graces our home.
“Land Laid Bare” – by Jon Swallow
Although we didn’t have much opportunity to talk much about food and wine, Jon told me with enthusiasm of a Sancerre he buys from a wine merchant in Aldeburgh, who, on hearing he and Su were going to France, gave them an introduction to the winemaker. “We had a wonderful time”, he said. (I am at one with him on the matter of Sancerre)
(Above) Jon and Su Swallow at the exhibition at H G Crisp
If the weather allows, he works outside, otherwise making quick pencil or paint sketches (and occasionally photographs) in situ, to develop back in the studio.
No expert though I am, I think I detect the architect’s eye for line and design in Jon’s work, which, with his broad brush produces for me the feeling of oneness that I have when taking in the vistas from the pathways that criss-cross our local countryside. As Mammon always has a view in matters of this kind, I am bound to add that I think Jon’s charges for his work are exceptionally reasonable.
Contact Jon Swallow by Email at jonswallow@btinternet.com Tel: 01728 830981.