Louis, Bix and John

2020_BP_Portrait_Award_work_0468

By John Burke

© John Burke

John Burke gained a BA (Hons) degree in Graphic Design from St Martins School of Art, and ran a design business in London, before returning to study by taking a course at the Royal Drawing School in 2003. HIs work is held in collections in the UK, USA and the Republic of Ireland and has been seen the annual exhibitions of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters. He was previously included in the BP Portrait Award in 2017.

The portrait is of the artist’s friend, John, whom he met at drawing classes. John would share anecdotes of his work in the advertising industry and his love of jazz music. It was ftting that he should be portrayed fanked by images of his musical favourites, Louis Armstrong and Bix Beiderbecke.