Edward Horace Thompson (1879-1949)

Edward Horace Thompson was a landscape painter mainly in watercolours. Born in 1879 at Seaton near Workington, Cumbria, the son of an engineer, he took up painting when he was 12, much to the disapproval of his parents. But, with support from an older brother he was allowed to paint and at school he was encouraged by his art teacher, Joe Barnes (possibly the artist Joseph Barnes). After leaving school, Edward Thompson worked as an office clerk at the local steel works, the “Combine” in Workington, for 25 years, painting in his spare time. By 1918, he had gained a reputation that enabled him to gave up his job and become a full-time artist. He moved to Eaglesfield near Cockermouth where he opened a studio. Around 1924, he started using the pseudonym Donald Paton for some of his works (mostly Scottish). We have read differing accounts about his use of the name Paton: The first being that it was to increase local Cockermouth sales because Cumbrians didn't rate local artists. The second, that a visiting London dealer offered to sell his paintings if Thompson signed them Donald A. Paton as they would sell more readily in Scotland (!) where he'd more clients. Also in 1924, for reasons unknown, Thompson changed the style of signature. The family moved in 1928 to Ruddings, Cockermouth, from where he produced probably his best work. "This man devoted his life to painting. It could be said that his pictures are the essence of Cumbrian painting.” Edward H. Thompson: A Phenomenal Talent by C.W. Richardson, 1988. We are always interested in buying good examples of Donald Paton/ Edward H. Thompson watercolours.

Paintings for sale by Edward Horace Thompson:

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*Skiddaw from Dubwath, Bassenthwaite lake* SOLD	*Heather* SOLD	*Winter in the Highlands, Loch Quoich* SOLD	*Four lakes* SOLD
*Sundown in Wythop Woods* SOLD	*Wythop woods, Allerdale* SOLD	*Daybreak, Ullswater from Pooley Bridge* SOLD	*Late afternoon light, River Derwent, Borrowdale* SOLD
*A sunny river in the Lakes* SOLD	*Wast Water Screes* SOLD	*Derwentwater* SOLD	*Morning clouds loch Katrine and Ellens Isle* SOLD
*Buttermere with the Kaystacks - Gr Gable High Style and High Crag* SOLD	*The Head of Buttermere with High Crag & High Style* SOLD	*Borrowdale* SOLD	*Passing gleams, Loweswater and Melbreak* SOLD
*The sweetest hour at eve, Bassenthwaite Lake* SOLD	*Sty Head pass summit, Great Gable* SOLD	*Passing Gleams, Scarfell* SOLD	*Buttermere with Fleetwith Pike* SOLD
*Bassentwaithe from Armathwaite* SOLD	*Loch Ailort. Early Autumn* SOLD	*Buttermere , Crummock Water and Loweswater.* SOLD	*Ullswater, Sunday Crag from Silver Bay* SOLD
*Quiet of the Evening, Near Keswick* SOLD	*Evening Light, Crummock* SOLD	*Clearing after rain, the Gate Crag, Borrowdale* SOLD	*Wild Hyacinths, Armathwaite Woods, near Bassenthwaite Lake* SOLD
*Rydal Water and Nab Scar* SOLD	*Head of Derwentwater and Borrowdale* SOLD	*Broomhill Point, Derwent Water* SOLD	*Lakes Scene* SOLD
*Grasmere, Lake District* SOLD