Isherwood Art .co.uk      

                            What the Critics Say 

The Following quotes comment on the art of James Lawrence Isherwood

'I only buy pictures I like and I bought an Isherwood years ago' LS Lowry

Lowry purchased 'Woman with Black Cat' from Isherwood,  it hung on his studio wall at his Mottram-in-Longdendale home until the matchstickman painter died in 1976

'He is a remarkable artist ,prolific,explorative,vivid,compassionate,gifted and dedicated' Daily Herald 1962

'Isherwood paints in an unusual forceful style. His bold composition and use of vivid colouring has earned him the recognition and praise of Britian's most famous artists' - London Weekly (1961)

He was described by Douglas Boyd ,the producer of the BBC Film 'I am Isherwood' which was screened in 1974 as - 'A man living in the wrong age , living in the Paris 1900 Style but in Wigan in the 1970's'

'Lancashire Madonna is perhaps his most striking work . It is painted with a nervous and devouring excitement that trembles visibly in the flesh of the paint, the canvas irradiating the devotion so evidently felt by the artist - Mervyn Levy

'...this exhibition introduces us to Isherwood as an atmosheric expressionist. Certainly a prolific painter , he now explores climatic conditions such as rain,snow and sun in a style of running paint unifying the effect and presenting the visual acceptance of an instant.These are strong paintings ,in strong brave colours and whereas this technique in the hands of a less able painter would become sloppy ,Isherwoods control over his paint and his composition creates an immediate sympathy between subject and the medium. London Arts Review 

'Mr Lawrence Isherwood a Northerner ,is a painter of considerable energy , working, often with consummate brilliance , in the established Expressionist tradition .For him the swift , unimpeded flow of paint from the fiery mouths of his brushes is a corollary of breathing painting is the logical extension,a supplement of being and as a natural . Paint or die his pictures seem to say .It is this passionate vitality that makes him such an engaging and stimulating artist .One is affected ,deeply, by the pulse and movement , the pure rhythm and restless dynamic of his work .....Mr Isherwood is unquestionably an artist of distinct talent . Art News and Review

'These pictures are bluff and uninhibited tackling the job of representation with competence and a certain verve...The style with its expressionist brushwork , is reminiscent of Much' The Arts Review 1961

J.Lawrence Isherwood was awarded the Silver Medal of the Academy of Rome and elected an honorary Member of the Royal Society of Arts . He was listed in the Who's Who in Art in the International Guild of Monaco,Brussels and London .