Jonathan Lindsey Bird DipAD

Born in Darlington in 1949, the first son of James Lindsey Bird, Jonathan studied at the Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, where he achieved one of the highest grades in the country for A level Art. After leaving school, the opportunity arose to work freelance as a sound recordist for television with his brother-in-law, cameraman Peter Dearden.

In 1971, he joined the Graphic Design course at Canterbury College of Art, where he met Daphne; they set up home in Whitstable, where they brought up their two children. After college, Jon worked in the radio division of COI; two years later he became designer, then studio manager at an audio-visual studio in Kensington. Returning to freelance sound in 1978, he worked for local television channels and the American news networks.

Highlights of recent years have included the TV documentary 'David Dimblebey’s India', and the feature films, 'Final Cut' and 'Love, Honour and Obey'. Son Martin shares his dad’s enthusiasm for sound and the entertainment industry: he was able to join the crew on the last feature, and has now successfully established his career as a DJ. www.myspace.com/djskaface

For over three years now, daughter Jenni has been living and working in Tuscany, and a combination of frequent visits to the Italian countryside, and a lull in television work has provided part of the stimulus for Jon’s return to painting. As well as Tuscan views, favourite subjects are the sea, boats and of course, the fabulous Whitstable sunsets.

Recent shows:

Canterbury Festival Artists Open Houses

23rd, 24th, 30th & 31st July 2005
Whitstable Oyster Festival, artists open house weekends.

May - June 2003
The Whitstable Ten

December 2003
‘Something Special’ at the Beaney Institute, Canterbury

December 2003
One man show at Gallery 106

October 2003
Artist’s Open House Trail