Part 4

Plans to reach Kashmir were high-jacked by the attractions of Amsterdam and their meagre budget was rapidly consumed by city living.  Perry returned home, but Johnny decided to stay on and try to earn a living through painting: by the winter of 1983 he was sharing an attic with mice.

Johnny recalls, 'The houses were very narrow but very tall - built on sand.  Terraced buildings are more stable and everyone has an attic.  It was quite romantic - like going back a hundred years - the area was the 'Montmartre' of Amsterdam.  The landlord lived in a flat about three floors below.

'The mice were my house guests.  Late at night, I'd buy a kebab or something, get into my sleeping bag and eat my meal by candle light.  The light caught their eyes and there would be a twinkling ring of them around my sleeping bag.  I'd give them the left overs away from my bed and I could hear them tucking in.

Amstel

After six months, Johnny moved into a converted barge, ‘El Dorado’ moored on the Amstel and here, he concentrated on painting water, inspired by the reflections.  He survived by painting posters, signs and occasionally selling a painting.  He walked the city, revelling in its extraordinary light and used every opportunity to study the extensive exhibition of Dutch landscapes in the National Gallery.

Amsterdam had given him space to think and learn, along with a confidence in his ability to eke out an existence on his art alone.  He had stayed true to his vision of independence without compromise to his creativity and shown commitment to his dream.  The experience had not been comfortable.  ‘It sounds romantic,’ says Johnny, ‘but far from it – often hungry – hard floors – no hot water, freezing cold – no close friends!’

Amstel

Johnny’s somewhat unorthodox tenancy on the house boat was attracting attention and in any case, a year was up and he had decided it was time to leave.  Returning to Harrogate with his collection of abstract waterscapes and studies, Johnny was determined to maintain his independence and never ‘sign on’.  Friend Jerry Clipelle provided Johnny with free exhibition space at the Wedgewood Shop on Parliament Street and its success put some cash in the coffers.

Still feeling adrift, Johnny decided to join Paul and Perry on a grape-picking trip to France.  At  the hillside village of Cessenon Sur L’Orb in the south, Johnny became the artist of his childhood dreams, following in the footsteps of Edward Lear, whose exquisite topographical drawings and studies had been inspiration and companions through those grim Rotherham years.  For two months, he was in figurative and water colour heaven: despite the ants.

Part 5 to follow