George Blackie Sticks

George Blackie Sticks was born in Newcastle and became one of Northumberland's most distinguished painters. He was a landscape painter in oil and watercolor. Sticks was the son of James Sticks, an Edinburgh artist. He was the most distinguished member of the Sticks family of artists. He was placed under the tuition of William Bell Scott at the Government School of Art at Newcastle. He had early artistic training as a designer in the stained glass factory of William Wailes. After leaving this job, Sticks went on to become a full-time artist. He enjoyed sketching around Scotland and the Lake District. He exhibited his work regularly at Berwick Club and Arts Association exhibitions. Sticks also exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy and the Royal Academy of Arts. He was represented by the Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle and the Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead.