John Ainley

There is no surviving correspondence between John Ainley and Ruth Borchard. In her notebook, Ruth records that she contacted the artist in November 1965, and paid 15 guineas for his self-portrait. 

 

This is signed 'Ainley' but undated. Born in Sheffield in 1931, John Ainley would have been in his early thirties when it was painted. The artist's comment on being confronted with this barely remembered painting from nearly forty years ago was: 'it has a very serious expression. Clearly a studious chap!' Balding, bespectacled, with a high illuminated forehead and neat, professional attire, the artist indeed appears thoughtful and studious – an impression accentuated by the rows of books behind, the vivid colours of which help convey a sensation of the joy of knowledge and learning. The wallpaper to the left, with its orbic abstracted patterns – reminiscent partly of fans and shell forms – contrasts with the bookshelves’ darker palette and compact vertical shapes. The small plant below – its green reflected in the colour of the man's sweater – gives an impression of delicate natural growth in thought, and in life itself. 

 

After National Service in 1949-50, Ainley studied to be a teacher. He took a Diploma in the Visual Arts at London University in 1963, and a Diploma in Child Development there in 1967. From 1952 to 1995 he worked as a teacher and head teacher, writing in 2001: 'I maintained an interest in Art in Education, and in the 60s and 70s organised four exhibitions of Schools' Art in Kingston. I founded Leatherhead Art Club in 1960 and am still its Secretary. I use a range of media – oil, ink, acrylic, etc. but mostly watercolour. I work in a traditional style, taking pleasure in architecture and natural detail.'