Chillingham Castle 2002

At last I've taken the plunge and opened my own web site to share my paintings with a wider public. My (mostly self taught ) heavy watercolour technique has caught the eye of a few people and I have several certificates from exhibiting paintings with PAWS [Paint A Wildlife Subject]  which was held annually up to 2003 in St Albans, Herts.  I also use other media [pastels,  inks and pencils] in my work. All of my paintings are done in free-hand although I do use photographs to get the details required; try getting an otter to sit still !

Recently I have turned my hand to pet portraits,and I've also done a few urban landscapes something I hope to expand upon in future. I would like to think my painting has evolved with time and I now base most of my work around actual experiences using my own photos as opposed to those from a publication. Although if I see areally good shot I may still feel inspired to do my interpretation of it.

Having won a couple of commissions recently I would like to attract more attention and see where it leads.

If you would like to commission me to paint a portrait of your pet, or some other subject,

you can contact me at: johnrochester@talktalk.net  John Rochester, 65 Shields Rd, Morpeth, Northland. NE61 2RZ.                  tel- 01670516752

Two of my works are now on display in Chillingham Castle, thanks to the kindness of Sir Humphry Wakefield bt.