Patrick Oliver

A large abstract landscape titled Wharfdale which i believe is an area in Yorkshire ,dated 1962 ,Patrick Oliver as you already know was tutor at Leeds. He was known as the 'teddy boy' of British art in St Ives in the 50s and Barbara Hepworth thought of him as one of the best artists of his generation, he was tutored by Peter Lanyon and you can certainly see his influence in his choice of palette. Like everyone else he had to make a living, and i suppose felt the need to settle and so took a teaching job as many artists did then , In his early days he exhibited with the likes of Hepworth  ,Lanyon  etc , i have a catalogue to show this and i will try and dig it out, i feel had he stuck it out in St Ives he would have enjoyed a more successful career. his paintings are slowly rising in value and i try to buy them whenever  they appear at auction. He is known as the early mentor to Damien Hirst, and Hirst acknowledged this after oliver died.

another Patrick Oliver in festive mood.

My Great Aunt lived in Ilkley and Wharfdale ran North from there, past Bolton Abbey (God's own country)

I did a series of minalmist paintings of Gordale Scar in the wharfdale area , Patrick was an inspiring teacher trips out usually ended in the pub

What Patrick drinking never!!

He is someone that I haven't heard of but his work is the kind of thing that appeals to me.

I think the observation about if he had stayed in St. Ives then he would have been more widely known is correct. Also he doesn't seem to have made any real effort to exhibit widely.

You are right he rarely exhibited and is little known outside of Yorkshire now , his best friend was Peter O'toole the actor and i think they both liked a drink, he apparently had little time for exhibiting but was an excellent teacher. The best painting that i have seen of his was titled 'high force' ,it came up for sale in Mallams a few years ago but i missed it.

Hi Croker
Now that I have seen your painting ,I now know why you feel my miniatures are not suitable on this forum.
Regards rabbit.