Walter Eastwood |
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WALTER EASTWOOD (1867-1943)
Walter Eastwood was born in Rochdale, Lancashire in 1867. At school he excelled at drawing which led him to study at the Heywood School of Art, where he gained a First Class Certificate in Still Life. He was inspired by painters such as Luke Fildes (1843-1927) and John Everett Millais, (1829-1896) with a general interest in fine art and portraiture. In later years he discovered Ashworth Valley, Rochdale and started to paint the views in that area, developing a great forte for landscape painting. He came to reside in Lytham in 1902, taking premises at 17 Market Square, Lytham, where he set up an art shop business, selling artists’ paints and brushes etc, as well as his own paintings, many of which were now local Fylde scenes. At the back he had a studio where he worked as a professional photographer - his tiger skin rug was a striking feature. A chance meeting in Lytham’s Green Drive between Thomas Alfred Clarke (1886-1979) and James Terry (1854-1932) led to the creation of Lytham St Annes Art Society, with Walter holding the first committee meeting in his studio in 1912. Walter was voted in as the first president and Thomas Clarke was secretary. Both men were mainstays of the early society which held its first exhibition in the Market Hall, Lytham in March 1913. Walter’s first exhibition was at the Athenaeum Gallery in Bury, where he was counselled and guided by Cuthbert Grundy, one of two artist brothers from South Shore, Blackpool. Later, as Sir Cuthbert Grundy, he founded The Grundy Art Gallery in Blackpool. Since then Walter exhibited many times, notably at the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool, the Royal Society of Artists in Birmingham and the Royal Cambrian Academy. Similarly, many provincial galleries have bought and hung his work over the years. |
Artworks by
Walter Eastwood in the Lytham St Annes Art Collection 1. acc no 17 The Fell Side, Haweswater
2. acc no 166 Lytham Market Hall 3. acc no 83 Derelict Treales Mill 4. acc no 244 The Roadmenders' Quarry 5. acc no 68 Gillett's 'Cross Slack' Farm, St Annes on Sea 6. acc no 268 Lakeland Scene, The Old Mill 7. acc no 267 Shipyard, Lytham 8. acc no 254 Stormy Summer, Lytham Windmill Looking West Thomas Clarkson, Lytham Lifeboat Coxswain, oil, acc.no. 263, unlocated at this time presumed missing |
In Lytham Walter was a distinguished member of the community; he was a founder of the New Church, Ansdell and an Honorary member of the Lytham St Annes Rotary Club - prominently involved in many
of their good causes. Above all, he is remembered as a prolific local artist, whose talented depictions
of landscapes and portraiture have retained their popularity.
Walter Eastwood died aged 76 and was buried at St Cuthbert's Church, Lytham.
of their good causes. Above all, he is remembered as a prolific local artist, whose talented depictions
of landscapes and portraiture have retained their popularity.
Walter Eastwood died aged 76 and was buried at St Cuthbert's Church, Lytham.
