George Skelton, Painter
George Skelton is no ordinary painter; he was an Art Teacher for 38 years and a Professional Artist for over 12years. He was a founder member of Castleside Art Group over 50yrs ago (with Ken Armstrong) and Snods Art Group (with Ann Shaw). George also had a gallery / shop at Stanhope for many years (with Philip Oliver and Alex Clark).
Originally from The Grove, before moving to Moorside then Castleside he now lives not far away in Northumberland. At 16year he started Art College at Sunderland specialising in Wood Engraving, although he says he has not done any since, as he hadn’t the space or the equipment to do it. He then moved onto to Liverpool University for a Teaching qualification before returning to the Northeast and starting his career as an Art Teacher.
George has painted in Oils and Acrylics but its watercolour that he is well known for, a medium he says he only tried as it was the easiest and safest to use when his young children were running around the house. His love of The River Derwent and the Moors between Consett and Stanhope have been a source of inspiration for many years but since his move he now paints Northumberland scenes too. However, on my visit to his house, it was great to see his Living Room dominated by 2 paintings of the Derwent Reservoir and 1 of Consett Iron Company, he’s never lost his love of his hometown.
In the last few years George has had a few health problems which has stopped him painting however he is keen to resume as soon as he gets his ‘eyes sorted’ at the RVI. He told me that he has no favourite painting, saying “Once I’ve painted one it’s finished and time to move onto the next one, that’s the important one. The next painting is always going to be perfect, but it never is, that’s why I keep going”. I for one think he has painted quite a few perfect paintings, as I have quite a few dotted around my house.