John Cockshaw  - Artist and illustrator

I am a painter, illustrator and digital artist based in Ripon, North Yorkshire. Educated to BA(Hons) and MA level in Art at Sheffield Hallam University, I first started exhibiting in 2007 in Yorkshire and have been adding to my exhibition portfolio as artist and curator ever since. My portfolio is versatile and includes expressive and abstract painting, illustration design, photographic studies, video art and digital art. I take inspiration from elements of literature and cinema, SF and fantasy works from pop culture in addition to landscape and classical/jazz musical genres.

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In 2012 I began a large-scale project inspired by J.R.R Tolkien's Middle-earth titled 'From Mordor to the Misty Mountains'. This project has been widely exhibited in the UK and internationally. I currently enjoy an association with The Tolkien Society via instances of publication, showcasing my work at their events and independently curating Tolkien-inspired exhibitions in the north of England.

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In 2015 I began a working relationship with Edinburgh-based Luna Press Publishing (LPP) and have contributed numerous illustration projects and collaborative publications with them. My latest areas of focus have been an extended illustration project inspired by Susanna Clarke's 1800's-set novel Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, a dystopian SF series of artworks titled 'In a city seen' and an exhibition collection of assorted works titled 'Fantastic Magic Dreams'.

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My range of short films, artist videos and exhibition publicity is also available on my YouTube channel