James Stuart Park

A Still Life of Begonias

circa 1900

James Stuart Park spent much of his career painting flowers and it is, for these works, that he is best known. His early flower paintings, of the late 1880s, are regarded as works of brilliance, in terms of their design and use of color. Park's focus on design and decorative qualities, in his paintings of the late 19th century, lead to the emergence of an abstract element in his work. While in earlier works, the vases and surfaces which supported his flower arrangements, played an important part in the compositions, in works such as this, they are no longer seen. Only, the bright colours of the petals emerge out of the dark background.

James Stuart Park was born on the 29th of April, 1862, in Kidderminster, Worcestershire. His father likely worked in the carpet industry in Kidderminster, having moved from Catrine. His mother was originally from Craigie. When still quite young, he returned with his family to the West of Scotland, where his father is later recorded as a carpet designer. Around the mid-1880s, Park attended evening classes at the Glasgow School of Art and first exhibited at the Glasgow Institute, in 1883. It is thought, at this time, he was apprenticed to be an engineer, however, his talent for painting developed and with further studies in Paris and Glasgow, he gave up all notion of any other profession. For almost the next three years, from 1889, he developed a style of painting, which was original in its approach and which did much to enhance his reputation in Glasgow, at that time. This attention resulted in a series of early flower studies, which had a quality and freshness that set a basis for all his future work.

Although he painted several portraits, it is his flower paintings, which preoccupied his output and led to his inclusion to a group of painters, who came to be known as the Glasgow School and his involvement did much to further his career. Known collectively as The Glasgow Boys, there would be times, when many of these friends would travel together, painting and exchanging ideas. During this time, Park had a studio in Glasgow and exhibited widely. By the late 1890s, he had settled his home in Kilmarnock and 1902, he married Helen Fullarton, a girl from Saltcoats. His address is given as 15 South Hamilton Street.

Park continued to develop his style, while his paintings enjoyed a great deal of popularity. To meet the demand for his work, he would use an outbuilding at Bellfield House, Kilmarnock, which he used as a studio and which gave access to the greenhouses, which served this local estate. The arrangement provided an abundance of subject material for him to work with. He later rented a flat on London Road, Kilmarnock and later, bought the half villa 'Elmslie', also on London Road. He had five children, two boys, John and Charlie and three girls, Mary, Helen and Irene. There continues to be a family connection with Kilmarnock, up until the present. Park is still remembered, towards the end of his life, travelling about Kilmarnock by bicycle, with canvases strapped to his back. An article in the Scots Pictorial of June 1900 refers to the fact that he was a splendid rider and that, in the summer of 1899, he travelled from Glasgow to London by bicycle, in three days. He continued to exhibit regularly, having an annual exhibition every February, in the McLellan Galleries, Glasgow.