Old Canvey

by a local artist

I am a local artist. The first picture is my depiction of Canvey Casino in around 1949. The next one below in the gallery is of Chambers Farm which used to stand in Furtherwick Road. Next is of another of Canvey’s farms at Small Gains Corner. The last picture is another view of Small Gains.

The Casino 1949

Latest from John

These paintings are rendered acrylic on canvas, although I sometimes use oils. The size for example, of the Casino painting is 30″x24″ and most of my paintings are around this size or a little smaller. I started painting 15 years ago, having picked it up again after many years absence since my days at art college. I initially started with marine subjects, the sea, ships etc and have exhibited work in London, Portsmouth and Bristol. I have more recently diversified into landscape work and seaside subjects. My choice of subject matter is of no surprise having always lived by the sea on Canvey. I was in fact a victim of the 1953 Great Flood, which I can remember although only 3 years old at the time. It is only lately I have been drawn to old Canvey for subject matter. It offers some great subjects, most of which have sadly gone, such as the Casino, where I worked as a youngster on the dodgems and speedway in the late sixties. There were some great and slightly eccentric buildings such as Beach House and Marlborough House, both of which will be future subjects for paintings.

Please click on the pictures to see them full size

Comments about this page

  • Hi John – I love your pictures – thanks for sharing them with us!

    By David Bullock (01/04/2009)
  • Excellent work. Please can we have more by this contemporary artist who works in the past and sees the world through tinted spectacles. Could we not have each picture full width and with captions? A little bit about the artist would not go amiss either. Credit where it’s due.

    By Robert Hallmann (01/04/2009)
  • I agree Robert – I love the way John has represented Canvey in these pictures and would love to see more. I did consider formatting the page to give full size views but they aren’t all ‘landscape’ so wouldn’t fit well.

    John, if you can add any more details that would be great.

    By David Bullock (02/04/2009)
  • Hi John
    So glad you have put your paintings on the site. They’re brilliant! The one of the Casino is very special ,the whole composition emphasises the Art-Deco architecture.
    We would love to see some more Seascapes perhaps?
    Graham.

    By Graham Stevens (02/04/2009)
  • Thanks for the kind words. More info to follow.

    By John Dawkins (03/04/2009)
  • HI John, I love your pictures! Have you got your own website or somewhere we can buy these pictures? i love this one especially would love to have a copy! cheers

    By James Godward (29/09/2010)
  • Dear James, If you are interested in the paintings, or you have any other questions please e-mail me on john_dawkins@sky.com

    By John Dawkins (24/11/2010)

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