"Magnolias of Hampstead" | Solo art show

LOCATION: Burgh House, New End Sq, London NW3


EVENT DATES: Tuesday 18 February to Sunday 23 February


The show has now finished. I’m leaving this page here as a reference for next time.

With six days to go, I booked the gallery at Burgh House for a display of pictures of Magnolias in Hampstead. 

Magnolia are one of the first signs of Spring – bursting forth with lightbulb-shaped flowers before any leaves come through. 

I’ve been making pictures of them over several years – on my iPad, mostly. Then I have them printed onto archival paper, typically at A3 size. 

I’ve loved magnolias since I first went to university. There was one outside my window at the hall of residence, and I stared at it for hours. 

Later my girlfriend (now wife) introduced me to the music of JJ Cale, particularly his song Magnolia. Often, on Instagram, when I’m posting pictures of magnolias, I use that song as a background. 

I’ve lived in Hampstead (ish) all my adult life, and when I got engaged we had a party at Burgh House.

***

Instagram posts (in approx chronological order):

  • Church Row Hampstead Church Row, Hampstead.
    Someone asked about this recently and I showed her and it reminded me how much I enjoyed painting it, not with the iPad as usual but with oil on canvas.

  • First blossom in Childs Hill(*), top of Pattison Rd Painted this last year. Did it several times. Eventually decided to go over everything except the blossom in thick white paint and scratch out the background shapes. Walked past that tree this morning and saw the first buds. EXTREMELY HAPPY at any sign of spring. Acrylic, mostly, on canvas. (Fallen blossom is Sennelier oil stick no. 672.) *not counting the occasional wintry mistakes of cherry trees

  • Painting on a cardboard envelope, before the show “At this time of year, walking around Hampstead in the wind and the rain, I watch for magnolias coming into flower. Suddenly, the buds swell up like prehistoric lightbulbs to flash the arrival of spring.
    All that beauty! Only to be rained on, blown about – and lost for another year.
    What a precious gift.
    When I was at university there was a a magnolia outside my window (in the first year). My girlfriend (now wife) used to play JJ Cale’s song, ‘Magnolia’, and still today it echoes in my mind.
    I’m so happy to be showing my magnolia pictures at Burgh House (years ago, we had our engagement party here). As well as magnolia pics, you can preview pictures from a new series l’m working on – portraits of people in their office.
    During the exhibition, I’ll also be doing a few portraits of people – in the gallery, surrounded by my pictures. That will make me very happy.
    The idea is inspired by Matisse’s habit of painting the inside of his studio, with his own pictures hanging or leaning against the walls”.
    - John-Paul will be hosting live portrait sessions during the exhibition’s opening hours – anyone is welcome to sign up to have their portrait rendered live. If you would like to have me do your portrait please DM so I can let you know which slots are available. Thank you for looking.

  • Announcing the date and venue “Magnolias of Hampstead”
    EXHIBITION by John-Paul Flintoff
    Venue: Burgh House, New End Square, London NW3 1LT
    PRIVATE VIEW Tuesday 18th
    PUBLIC HOURS: Wed 19 to Sunday 23 Feb, 10-4pm.
    Pictures of magnolias in Hampstead, shockingly. By someone (me) who loves magnolias.
    - Digital pictures on archival 300gsm Hahnemuhle German etching paper.
    - paintings in oil, acrylic, ink on canvas and plywood (the last item kindly cut for me by a neighbour).
    Any questions please DM.

  • Burgh House Insta announcement Opening next week in our Peggy Jay Gallery – ‘Magnolias of Hampstead’.
    An exhibition featuring the stunning work of John-Paul Flintoff. Featuring images of magnolias and pieces from a new series that John-Paul is currently working on – portraits of people in their offices.
    John-Paul will also be hosting live portrait sessions in the gallery space – anyone is welcome to sign up to have their portrait rendered live.
    Get in touch to find out more
    🕰️ 19 – 23 February, 10am-4pm (Wed, Thur, Fri, Sun)
    🎟️ Free entry
    📷 ‘Fortune Green Road Magnolia, April’

  • Painting in the kitchen before the show Painted concurrently – one bright and fresh (daytime, windy) and the other still and dark.
    Also, painting two at once means less waiting for paint to dry etc.
    Acrylic on plywood, chopped into bits to fit frames I already had.
    Both likely to appear in “Magnolias of Hampstead” show at Burgh House, New End Sq., Hampstead.
    Show starts with private view Tuesday evening then Weds, Thurs, Fri and Sunday 10am to 4pm.

  • Which do you prefer Which do you prefer, 1 or 2?
    Thank you for your help.
    ‘Magnolias of Hampstead.’
    Burgh House, New End Sq, London NW3
    Private view Tuesday
    Public opening hours Weds, Thurs, Fri and Sun 10am-4pm

  • Where to find magnolia in flower now (fast walk in Hampstead)? At this time of year, walking around Hampstead in the wind and the rain, I watch for magnolias coming into flower.
    Suddenly, the buds swell up like prehistoric lightbulbs to flash the arrival of spring.
    All that beauty! Only to be rained on, blown about – and lost for another year. What a precious gift.
    I’m so happy to be showing my magnolia pictures at Burgh House.
    During the exhibition, I’ll also be doing a few portraits of people – in the gallery, surrounded by my pictures.
    That will make me very happy.
    Peggy Jay Gallery, Burgh House, New End Sq, London NW3
    Wed – Sun, 10am-4pm
    Free entry
    Follow to see more and please share

  • What to do after booking a solo show (rush to Cass Art)? I took this space with less than one week’s notice – which is plainly bonkers.
    Please follow to find out how I manage.
    ‘Magnolias of Hampstead’
    Burgh House, New End Square, London NW3
    Wednesday Thursday Friday and Sunday 10-4

  • Choosing lead image for the show How to choose just one picture to represent all the rest?
    This particular tree features in several images in “Magnolias of Hampstead”, my exhibition at Burgh House this week.
    I drew it at night (here) and by day (look carefully for the image two rows below on my iPad grid).
    I was in a phase where I really enjoyed drawing headlamps on cars and buses.
    Lots of those here, near the junction of Finchley Road and the Hendon Way.
    I remember also loving the strange colours of magnolia flowers under street light.

  • Time lapse vid setting up at Burgh House Prepping for tonight’s Private View! Opening for public view tomorrow in our Peggy Jay Gallery – ‘Magnolias of Hampstead’.
    An exhibition featuring the stunning work of John-Paul Flintoff. Featuring images of magnolias and pieces from a new series that John-Paul is currently working on – portraits of people in their offices.
    John-Paul will also be hosting live portrait sessions in the gallery space – anyone is welcome to sign up to have their portrait rendered live.
    Get in touch to find out more
    🕰️ 19 – 23 February, 10am-4pm (Wed, Thur, Fri, Sun)
    🎟️ Free entry

  • First RED Dot First red dot. Can’t tell you how much that helps, before even going into the venue to hang the pictures.
    Private view this evening then open to public (free) at Burgh House, Hampstead.
    Opening hours 10-4
    Wednesday Thursday Friday and Sunday.
    Thank you, you-know-who.

  • Best art venue? Photos from Private View Where can you see art in Hampstead – AND get a cup of tea and cake?
    Let’s consider Burgh House, tucked between the shops and the Heath. It’s not only a beautiful old Georgian building, with giant twisty wisteria at the front. It also has an art gallery attached at the back.
    “Magnolias of Hampstead” is showing there this week, and last night was the private view (pictured).
    “Magnolias of Hampstead” features (surprise!) paintings and drawings of magnolias, made by a local artist. They’re showing now, before the real things bloom, to give you an advance uplift of springtime.
    And who doesn’t need that?
    Full disclosure: the local artist is me. I’m delighted to have chosen @burghhouse1704 as the venue for this solo show. I have been very well looked after.
    Sitting in the gallery today I’ve met lots of art enthusiasts with a terrific grasp of what they’re looking for, and at. One family talked with me for a while then down to the ground floor buttery to think – before coming back to place a red dot on the frame of the picture they wanted to buy. I was very happy, and they looked happy too. Thank you for reading / watching.

  • Platts Lane magnolia Three people walked into the gallery early today.
    A couple, with their grown-up daughter.
    They introduced themselves as readers of my newsletter.
    And we talked about this picture.
    I said I hadn’t intended to get it printed*. I thought nobody would like a picture of a house with a boarded-up window.
    Which is bonkers, now I think about it.
    I walk past that house nearly every day with my schnauzer, Peanut.
    The window was boarded up for nearly a year. And I worried about the people living there.
    When the magnolia came into flower it looked great – despite standing in front of a house with a boarded window.
    (Or because?)
    So I made this picture on my iPad.
    After we’d been talking for a while, my friends the newsletter readers went away.
    “Bye!” I said. Thank you for coming.”
    But they had only gone to the cafe downstairs.
    After a while they returned and said they wanted to buy the picture.
    I watched as they placed a red dot on the frame.
    I’m constantly surprised that pictures I don’t think will appeal to anyone turn out to be well liked.
    In this case I’m obliged to consider the possibility that brokenness is an attraction, rather than a downside.
    “Magnolias of Hampstead”
    27 pics by John-Paul Flintoff
    WHERE Burgh House, New End Square, London NW3
    WHEN till Sunday 23 Feb
    10am – 4pm
    All the digital work in this show is available to purchase.
    Each one is in a limited edition of seven numbered and signed prints on archival A2 Hahnemuhle German Etching paper.
    Shipping worldwide.
    Thank you for looking.
    *Why did I get it printed? Because I was worried I didn’t have enough pictures to show.

  • Visitors report, and things I’ve learned Lots of visitors today:
    - many were known to me already
    - ALL were very welcome
    Guess what?, I sold the biggest canvas in the show!
    This was a (delightful) surprise because hardly anyone stopped to look at it before.
    More often, they’re drawn to the iPad prints on the wall facing the entrance.
    I have spent quite a lot of time here doing demos of iPad drawings with people who are curious about how it’s done.
    Things I have learned this week include:
    - provide a price list
    - bring a phone charger
    - bring red dots
    - something else but i forgot already
    I wish I could think of something else / cleverer to say but I’m knackered.
    “Magnolias of Hampstead”
    WHERE Burgh House, New End Sq, London NW3
    WHEN Saturday and Sunday, 10am – 4pm
    PLS Sign up to my newsletter for more info.

  • Portrait of Mark Stephens IN Burgh House How many portraits can you see?
    This is a portrait of Mark, showing alongside my magnolia pictures at Burgh House this week.
    There are actually four versions of Mark in this one drawing.
    Can you find them all?
    “Magnolias of Hampstead”
    (*Plus a sneak preview of Mark.)
    WHERE Burgh House, New End Square, London NW3
    WHEN Ends Sunday
    10am – 4pm

  • The picture people stop at most often Which picture do people stop to look at most? This one:
    “Rain: Magnolia on Fortune Green Road“
    It’s another iPad drawing that I nearly didn’t bother to get printed for the show at Burgh House (details below).
    “Nobody wants to look at a rainy picture,” I told myself.
    I was wrong, apparently.
    I’ve spent a lot of time in the gallery showing people how I use the iPad.
    They seem particularly taken with the saved “action replay” videos (3).
    I like doing that. People look amazed to see something so affordable and portable and intuitive.
    I also explain how the printing works – how I get my prints made at the superb Print Space in Hoxton (5).
    The colours are so vivid, the details so fine.
    “Magnolias of Hampstead”
    WHERE Burgh House, New End Sq, London NW3
    WHEN Saturday and Sunday 10am – 4 pm
    ALL DIGITAL PICS in this show are available to buy:
    - a limited edition of 7 signed and numbered A2 prints (each)
    - on archival Hahnemuhle German Etching paper
    - with a certificate of authenticity.
    More details: please subscribe to my newsletter.

  • A good day A Good Day
    - thank you for asking.
    “Magnolias of Hampstead”
    Burgh House, New End Sq, London NW3
    Saturday and Sunday 10 – 4

  • Mat had his portrait done at Burgh House Mat asked if I was still doing any portraits here in the gallery.
    It’s something I offered before my solo show started – before I realised how all-consuming it would be.
    But today was a good day for portraits because the main house was closed for a private event and the gallery was quieter than yesterday.
    Sure, I said, would love to.
    I didn’t draw for long, but enjoyed sitting down and making some marks on paper for a change.
    Mat was taken with my iPad picture of evening on Briardale Gardens, and bought number 1/7 in a limited edition of A2 prints of that image.
    Picture 4 shows Mat applying the red dot 🔴.
    Each print is numbered and signed and issued with a certificate of authenticity.
    “Evening, Briardale Gardens.”
    Thank you Mat.
    “Magnolias of Hampstead”
    - a solo show by me, JPF

  • Rachel Knightley interviews me in front of pics Two of my favourite paintings in jpflintoff’s exhibition at Burgh House. It was such an enormous pleasure to hear about how light intrigues and inspires him, and what he discovers about the media he uses as he responds to what he sees. If you get a chance to go to burghhouse1704 tomorrow (Sunday 24 Feb), you’re in for a real treat.

  • The timid magnolia and privet hedge “To The Keeper Of The Magnolia”: 

I wrote a personal note to all the people whose magnolias I had drawn or painted for this show, and dropped the notes through their letter boxes.
    Only one has replied in person – with phone message from a number I didn’t recognise, obviously. I’m glad to hear she’s coming into the gallery tomorrow.
    I never got around to delivering this particular note (pictured), because I just ran out of time.
    So I stuck it on top of the framed painting.
    Allow me to tell you why I found this magnolia so appealing: because it looks so terribly shy and unassuming behind the privet.
    It actually made me laugh when I took the photo.
    Magnolias are flamboyant and showy.
    Not this one.
    I tried to reproduce that in the painting. It’s as close to a comic painting as anything in this show. Not very comic, I grant you. But hey -
    “MAGNOLIAS OF HAMPSTEAD”
    Exhibition of 27 works by John-Paul Flintoff
    WHERE: Burgh House, New End Square, London NW3
    WHEN: Last day is Sunday 23 Feb, 10am – 4pm

  • Visit by the Art Babies, Steve Chapman and Jo Wood The Art Babies stevexoh and jdwoof visited “Magnolias of Hampstead” in the Peggy Jay Gallery at Burgh House.
    I asked if I could draw them, during a quiet moment on Friday lunchtime.
    Jo and Steve arranged themselves in the same shape as a very well known mid-20th century British portrait.
    Can you identify it?
    -
    Don’t miss the Art Babies show, Feelings Are Real.
    WHERE: Barbican Library, Silk St, City of London, London EC2Y 8DS
    ENDS: 27th Feb 2025

  • Kenwood House should use this as a poster I think Kenwood House should use this as a poster.
    It has plenty of space bottom-right for text such as “Come to Kenwood House” (ingenious!).
    Maybe I will pull my finger out and actually suggest it to the splendid people there.
    If you saw the film Notting Hill you may remember this spot.
    It’s where the Hugh Grant bookshop-owner character visits Julia Roberts’ movie star on set and overhears her saying something ungenerous about him.
    (A big plot twist!)
    -
    “Great white magnolia at Kenwood.”
    Available in a limited edition of just seven signed and numbered A2 prints on archival Hahnemuhle German Etching paper.
    Each one comes with a certificate of authenticity and my BIG thanks.
    If you would like to pay by instalments i have now created a payment plan. Please DM for details.
    Thank you.

  • My portrait of the Art Babies Visitors in the gallery last week.
    jdwoof stevexoh took time away from their own show to see “Magnolias of Hampstead”.
    And helped me keep my promise to draw some portraits there.
    Thank you.

  • Signing and numbering Grey House Lyndale Avenue at my desk This is ALL VERY WELL but I apparently forget something very important in my email newsletter – and just a minute ago a subscriber asked if I could provide it – a necessary link – so I will have to fix that and then perhaps make another of these Whizzy videos all about THAT.
    Gosh it’s complicated.

  • I love my printer, my printer’s good Behind the scenes Reel showing The Print Space
    Yeah but did you hear the lyrics.
    Sending out “Magnolias of Hampstead” from the very fine printer I use in Hoxton.
    The hands belong to C——a, who is much better than me at rolling the prints, and has been a TERRIFIC help this week.


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