Artist puts others into the frame
5:10pm Tuesday 5th February 2008
JIM Stanley has spent his life putting other people and places in the picture. For his love of art started at Rudheath Primary School when his teacher asked him to paint a picture.
"I vividly remember that day," he said.
"I painted a bird because I've always had an interest in flying. Everyone looked at it, pointed it out and complimented me on it."
From that moment, art was Jim's inspiration and he formally trained as an artist at Reading University between 1970 and 1974.
But then the responsibilities of the real world came crashing down. Needing to find a vocation, Jim embarked on a teacher training course and has subsequently worked at various schools in Northwich. This was his life for more than two decades until he decided to take a chance.
Quitting his teaching role, Jim took on a supply teaching job at Adswood Primary School in Stockport and dedicated the rest of his time to working on various commissions and building his reputation as an artist.
Jim said: "I have worked in several places and I am using what contacts I have to make it as an artist.
"Because I am in a small town in Cheshire, it means I am mostly confined to working in coffee shops, restaurants and cafes.
"But this gives me the best of both worlds as I am giving the people I am painting for something to look at and promoting my work at the same time."
As well as private commissions in people's homes, Jim has worked with Cafe Bruschetta creating vivid, often abstract art to complement the venue's Italian feel and at Costa Coffee concocting humorous paintings of Italian icons.
"One of the things about me is my sense of humour and that's a big thread of what I do," said the 55-year-old.
"And people who have passed by are generally very appreciative that there's somebody doing this in Northwich making it a more cheerful place."
One of Jim's most fruitful partnerships has been with Sainsbury's in Northwich and the artist hopes the supermarket giant will grant further commissions.
Jim said: "I have done a lot of art for Sainsbury's in keeping with their training schemes and this could be used in other branches.
"I feel like a flea on the back of an elephant hitching a ride to somewhere else. I want to reach a wider audience especially places like Stockport, Alderley Edge and Chester."
But for now, Jim is just happy with the choice he made.
He added: "If you have family responsibilities, a demanding job or are simply not feeling creative, you're unlikely to explore your artistic side.
"That's why I packed up my teaching job and took a leap into the unknown. I am now taking control of who I am and where I am going."