Born in Leeds, Yorkshire into a family that originated from Blackrock, Dublin John Blakey's early life was influenced by the Jesuits who taught him value of excellence. At the age of five he could already draw in perspective and he sold his first painting at the tender age of thirteen to the teacher who lived next door.

Coming from industrial Leeds he fell in love with the Yorkshire Dales, where at the age of fifteen, he saw the sparkling clean river Wharfe and it changed his life. Eventually, after ten years as a college lecturer in English and communications, he became a full-time artist. His studio in Masham, deep in the Yorkshire Dales, was opened by fellow Yorkshireman, Sir Michael Parkinson,who had invited John to stay with him...