Jason Bowyer: (1957-2019)

Artist Statement

Observation was of prime importance to Jason Bowyer's work. His paintings developed out of his drawings. There was a constant considered figurative/abstract interplay, a desire to find the essence of his motif whether the subject was an industrial interior or single flower. Rembrandt, Turner, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Matisse alongside personal heroes: Kurt Schwitters, Alexander Calder, Kathie Kollwitz, Joan Eardley and Sam Rabin were inspirations. His best advice came from two very fine painters and draughtsman. Tony Eyton, "Keep going back to your subject . . . boy." William Bowyer, after looking at his work, "That's alright, do another one." A constant motivator was the ironic Samuel Beckett quote, "Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better."

Method of Working

Thumbnail sketches that developed into small paintings or mixed media ink and pastel studies started the creative charge. A finished large painting could take up to five years to make but then be re-painted and finished in an hour. His paintings were made on location: an emotional, visceral response, ideas of light and tension that were then fused together in the studio to make a whole.  

Biographical Details

2013 Official War Artist. REME. Camp Bastian Afghanistan
2008-11 President NEAC
1982-2000 Teaching: University of the Creative Arts, Farnham; Metropolitan University, John Cass BA Hons; University of Westminster. Foundation; Established studio at London Museum of Water and Steam
1993 Founded NEAC Drawing School
1975-82 Education: Chiswick School; Camberwell School of Art; RA Schools

Other Society Memberships

Royal Society of Portrait Painters (PR), Pastel Society (PS)

Scholarships, Awards & Prizes

2015 RP Prince of Wales Drawing Prize
1992, 2005 Hunting Group Prize. Regional Painting Award
2003 RP Changing Faces Award
1999 Critics Choice Award, New Englsih Art Club Open
1987 William Townesend Scholarship, Banff Centre, Canada
1987 Royal Academy Summer Exhibition - Best Painting in Acrylic
1982 Elizabeth Greenshield Award
1979 Camberwell School of Art painting prize

Past Exhibitions

​1998-2019 Resident Artist with on going exhibition, London Museum of Water and Steam
1990/92/96/98/2002/06/08/10/13/16 New Grafton Gallery and Russell Gallery. One-man shows
2016 Lynn Painter Stainers, Mall Galleries
2015 Hogarth House, "Small Self", co-curated and exhibited
2015 Heatherleys School of Fine Art, one man show, "From Drawing to Painting"; Lecture, "Hard Held"
2014 Ashmolean Museum., War Artist Exhibition and Lecture, 'Hard Held'
2011 Championship Artist, Wimbledon. Exhibition in Members Clubhouse1986 Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, "A Year's Residency at Fulham Football Club'

Publications & Media

'The New English' (represented in, 2006) by Kenneth McConkey, ISBN 1903973988
'Starting Drawing' (1998, Bloomsbury Press) 100,000 copies sold worldwide
 'The Artist', Honorary Editor (1998-)
'Watercolour Challenge', Art Expert, (Channel 4, 2000)
'Britain and the Sea" (with David Dimbleby) 'Painting Walberswick Harbour' (BBC1, 2013)