John's story away from the canvas

By Katie Morris

Over the years I have gotten to know John not just as an artist but as my best friend and husband. I have seen him at his best and definitely at his worst. I've gone through it all with him and it has been a wonderful journey.

Some of which I wish to share with you now.

John was born and raised in Huddersfield West Yorkshire in 1988. April 3rd to be exact. Over the next 21 years, John would grow and develop into a very interesting character. From bodybuilding to wrestling, music to youth work, and eventually, to his true love of art, John tried and had fun with everything that he did. Applying himself fully to all that he attempted.

Struck down by illness

Sadly during John's biggest accomplishments in bodybuilding, he took ill and was later diagnosed with colitis. A debilitating condition that attacks the immune system and intestine. However, John has always had an interesting way of looking at things, and whereas many would give up and go into hiding, John felt that if he only had so much time in this world he was certainly going to leave his mark on the world.

Inspired into action

When he was at home, contemplating his next move he turned on the TV and began channel surfing. The channel that he landed on would change his life forever... A large, ginger afro-haired man by the name of Bob Ross appeared on the T.V. This man was world-famous for teaching people all over how to paint. John became mesmerised and fell in love with art and the world of colour. John found brushes and paper and began painting and learning his techniques. Through the struggles and trials of the learning process he never gave up and to this day paints some of the most beautiful mountains and seascapes that I have ever seen.

Going North

John has a very unique way of teaching and It was that unique way that brought him to Scotland to take the role of a youth worker in 2010. Youths and teens that had been cast aside from society found a place in the youth group that John ran and I like to hope that they all grew and became better people because of it. He not only taught students how to paint and how to develop a love of art but also how to voice their views and even created a safe place for attendees to be who they were. One of John's greatest gifts is the ability to listen and ask the right questions at the right time. This is a gift that John has used all through his adult life to help and reach people from all walks of life.

Joys and Challenges

In 2011 John began taking jobs as an illustrator with Cindy Freland, Anna Renault, Latoya Williams, and Yvette Albury among others. In 2012, John had the amazing opportunity to travel to the USA on tour with his business. During this amazing high in his life, he was brought back down to earth with a bang as his landlord and "best friend" decided to evict John during John's USA tour. When John returned to Scotland, he returned to find that his whole life had been turned upside down. Over the next 8 months, John would live in a bedsit in one of the roughest parts of Ayr, Scotland.

Determined to Succeed

Again, unwilling to give up but now a changed man, John continued to fight back and 8 months later he moved into a new flat in McCall's avenue. It was around this time that John and I became engaged and the effects of the situations he faced were obvious. He was working in a church (as a youth worker) that was very unsupportive of his living and health situations. The pressures of life changed John, but thankfully, he never lost that wonderful spirit or drive for life. I have never met anyone who has the self-discipline drive that John has.

Life has a funny way of throwing many curve balls ( as John's friend - Anna Renault used to say)

I have seen him very sick with Dyspraxia and Colitis only to build a full-time art business where he could work from home.

I've seen Facebook change its rules on how marketing could be done, so John built an Art School for over 45 students. I have seen him literally go from nothing financially to being able to buy our first home.

It has been such a journey and I invite you to share the journey with us as we continue to progress through life.

There is so much more to his story and one day if you're lucky he may just share with you a chapter or two.