James Lawrence Isherwood was born in Wigan, and was a prolific Impressionist/Expressionist painter. Isherwood was a friend of L.S.Lowry who purchased his 'Woman with Black Cat' and displayed it at his home. Prince Charles bought one of Isherwood's seascapes from the sale held at Cambridge University.

Always short of money, Isherwood traveled the country in his old estate car, usually accompanied by his mother (whom he called 'Mother Lily'). He liked to pitch up at Art Colleges and give impromptu tutorials, and usually paid for his hotel room with a painting. He also offered Magistrates a painting in lieu of a fine when prosecuted for driving with no tax or insurance.