We are honoured to have our first interview with the highly respected and prolific John Wigston, whose wonderfull artwork has been featured on many of our covers, from the Brighton Belle to the recent TPO and some in the future including Northern Belle .

When did you first get interested in trains and railways and what attracted you?

From when I was very young during the war years when my mother took me on the famous Great Eastern/LNER, Jazz service between Chingford and Liverpool St, London. They are just great beautiful machines, which seem to be alive as much as we are.

Steam, diesel or electric - do you have a favourite and for what reason?

Sheer nostalgia makes my favourite the steam locomotive but I’m not daft enough to realise that even railways must progress and the present High Speed trains are fascinating.

What inspired you to paint trains as opposed to ships, for example, and when did you decide to focus on trains?

I do not focus on trains alone; I love marine painting, having several of my works in marine collection and don’t forget the railway companies owned a lot of ships. Amongst other subjects I paint I’m very interested in traction engines.

I've only seen watercolours - do you work in any other medium? If not what is it about watercolours that you like?

I use all sorts of mediums but pencil drawing and watercolours are my favourites. I love the immediacy of watercolours.

Do you have a preferred method of working, either from sketches or photos for example?

Sketching from the subject is always preferable but with the world changing at the present rate old photographs are essential to get things right for a period setting.

What is the most and least enjoyable part of your work?

The paperwork that goes with running any business!

What has presented you with the biggest challenge?

Any painting is a challenge but one that comes to mind is a very large watercolour, ( a railway painting) based on the Sistine chapel without the pope knowing!

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

That’s for other people to decide.

How long have you been a member of the Guild of Railway Artists and how did you become a member and what does it mean to be a member?

Since 1980, when the Guild was formed. I was on a special train rom London to york to celebrate the work of John Scholes, Curator of the museum of British Transport Clapham, and who gave me my first major exhibition when I was informed of the formation of the guild.
Meeting other artists interested in the same subject but each aproching it in their own way.

Do you have a favourite piece of work and can you sum up why you like it so?

I’m not sure if I have a favourite painting but one that comes to mind is a railway painting I did based on William Shakespeares ‘Richard III’
It is a puzzle unless one knows their English history, Railway history and Shakespeares play; some of which I rewrote to match the painting.

Thanks to John for that great interview, we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did! but if you do have any suggestions or comments please let us know either by e-mail, or via Sarahs blog here.

Do you like John's work as much as we do?

If so we are able to offer you th opportunity to own the original, one off works of art that we use for our covers!!!

'Mumbles Trams' - £100

Irish Egyptian arch - £100

Electric 'Brighton Belle' - £400

'Southern Belle' L.B.S.C. Tank Loco - £300

Master Cutler

This lovely work was used on the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Master Cutler in October of 2007.

Master Cutler Original - £200

'Night Mail' Front Original - £200

'Night Mail' Back Back Original - £200

'Northern Belle' - £200

'Oliver Cromwell' Front Original - £200

'Oliver Cromwell' Back Original - £200

For information on how to purchase any of these spectacular one off works of art call 01303 278137 or e-mail us at sales@buckinghamcovers.com.

Buckingham Covers Limited, registered in England No. 03877048 is part of Internet Stamps Group Limited, registered in England No. 03497867.
Registered office for both: Warren House, Shearway Road, Folkestone, Kent CT19 4BF, UK.
Tel. (+44)01303 278 137.
Email. betty@buckinghamcovers.com

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