Last updated at 15:11, Tuesday, 05 February 2013

JOHN Duffin, 48, has become famous for his depictions of some of Barrow’s most iconic views.

Title
Author
Copyright

Description

The artist has a new exhibition, Northern Lights, which will run at the Dock Museum from March 29 to June 27.

What school did you go to?

Thorncliffe School.

What was your favourite subject?

Art.

What qualifications did you leave with?

I left with nine O-levels/CSEs.

Did you go onto further/higher education – if so, where and what to study?

I attended evening classes at Furness College. I did A-level art, English and sociology.

What was the best advice/learning you got at school or college?

There probably wasn’t one single piece of advice. It was more enjoying what I was doing.

I thought education was wonderful and the advice I picked up was that if you find something that you enjoy then do it.

Did you have a role model you looked up to and why?

I didn’t have one role model but overall there were signs from the people teaching me that they had this other life that took them beyond the town and gave them experiences that were different.

I got that feeling from the people that taught me.

What was your first job?

Between 16 and 20, I was working full time in the shipyard as a ship draughtsman.

I was also studying the A-levels that I needed to go to university.

What has been your career path between your first job and the one you do today?

At the age of 20, I went to Goldsmiths’ College in London to do a BA in fine art. I then did an MA in printmaking at Central St Mark’s in London.

What’s the best thing about your job?

When it is going well you can follow your inspiration and ideas. You are creating something and seeing it through.

What one thing would you change about your job if you could?

I’d get someone to help out with all the admin!

What advice would you give someone starting out today?

It’s a quote from John Ruskin, the Victorian artist who ended up living in the Lake District.

He said – “If a man finds what he wants to do in this life, let him ask for no greater blessing.”

First published at 16:26, Monday, 04 February 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk