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John Watkins
One of the great advantages of having been involved with show organising since the early 1980’s is that we have been able to meet some of the very best exponents of the art and craft of miniature modelling. One such expert, who was a regular at many shows together with his wife Valerie, was John Watkins and it was with the deepest regret that we heard of his death last week.
John, who was one of the kindest, most modest and self-effacing craftsmen, gained an international reputation for his miniature metalwork. He made spiral staircases, magnificent bespoke sets of gates and humble park wastebaskets with equal respect for each item and the utmost skill and craftsmanship in every case.
Following early retirement after a career of teaching metalwork for just over thirty years John began to make full size wrought ironwork on a blacksmith’s forge at the back of his garage. He soon found the work was rather heavy and fortunately for hundreds of collectors moved into making miniatures. He used brass because it was available to him in small sizes, which the iron and steel with which he was more familiar were not. He cooperated with Kevin Mulvany amongst others, on several projects and made many sets of magnificent gates for private collectors. His tables and chairs still grace numerous patios and conservatories and his spiral staircases have appeared in settings on postcards, in magazines, and at many an exhibition.
It was a pleasure and a privilege to have known John and I am sure that countless fellow craftsmen and collectors worldwide will share this sentiment and join with Bob, Andy and me in sending deepest sympathy and kindest regards to Valerie and their family at this sad time.
Muriel Hopwood
Images of John's work courtesy of Mulvany & Rogers.
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