User:Lewisneedle/sandbox/James Needle

James Needle

Born:  Arthur James (Jim) Needle July 30th 1949, Kenilworth, United Kingdom.

Years active 1990-2009

Style: abstract (naive) Portraits

Wife: Elizabeth (Liz) Needle 5th December 1971 to Present

Children: Lewis James Needle & John Wesley (Wes) Needle

Grandchildren: Luke Needle, Eloise Needle, Isobel Needle, Adam Needle, Henry Needle, William Needle

Early Life

Jim Needle was born in Kenilworth and moved to Cheltenham in 1960. Leaving Churchdown Secondary Modern School June 1965 and on the recommendation of art teacher Sue Hancock, attended Gloucester College of Art and Technology. Needle always claimed that his Father Henry James (Jim) Needle stated "childhood is over son. - time to get a job." This also coincided with the birth of his first child. Jim was heavily influenced by the 1960's music scene, notably seeing Jimi Hendrix at Blue Moon Club on 11th February and attending the Isle of Wight Festivals 1970 and 1971. Needle raised his children in Nailsworth and Churchdown in Gloucestershire working in advertising in the record industry.

Artistic Career

From 1989 James Needle was able to resume his painting career working mostly with oil on canvas and working on portraits. He received early recognition when Peter Blake selected his painting "My Sisters Domestic Gaze"  for the Mall Galleries - Discerning Eye exhibition in 2000. The following year (2001) Needle was selected in the Royal Society of Portrait Painters for his work titled - Elizabeth in Gardening Hat, Portrait. Then Needle was exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts 2001 Summer Exhibition with Self Portrait chosen again by Peter Blake. With health deteriorating, a obstinate cigarette smoker since 1955, Needle exhibited locally 2002-2008 "Art in the Park",  Cheltenham, UK. James Needle regularly sold 20+ paintings per year but he insisted on only selling his smallest pieces because he was unable to part with the pieces that had taken many months to complete. One anonymous buyer purchased the entire annual collection stating "My ex husband took our original collection in the divorce so I need to replace them". 2009 noted a decline in health and output and true to form stating "if I can't smoke in the house anymore what's the point." Occasional commissions are begrudgingly completed to an excellent standard. A large catalogue remains in storage and the website has been remove as the curmudgeon dismisses any praise.