Coming soon - Jim Rigby From Concrete to Canvas

Lonely Tree Arts & Crafts About Me

I’ve done a multitude of jobs over the years, from bar and pub relief manager to farm hand and forestry work, before settling on construction and groundwork, including working on Manchester Tramway (the bit behind the ITV Coronation Street set). I had my own business GSI Groundworks and Construction before spondyloarthritis (an autoimmune condition where your body attacks your joints and tendons) got to grips with me. Without going into too much detail, while block paving a driveway, I suddenly started struggling to get up to my feet, I was crawling to the fence to help me get upright. I initially presumed it was due to 40 years of hard heavy work being a Groundworker and the doctors kept saying they couldn’t find anything wrong. Boy is it painful when it flares up! I went from lifting patio flags and walking miles to being unable to slice an onion, get out of my chair or walk to the end of my street. After 2 years of tests and meds, things are a little better, but my consultants have told me hard and heavy work will have to become a thing of my past, or I will undo everything they are trying to do for me. 

And so, we get to the Art and Crafts. I’m a keen Flyfisher, and fishing was out the window initially, so being told to relax and do nothing after 40+ years of an active life, fishing, mountain walking, biking, motorcycling and generally being out and about, never mind the work, a change of direction was needed. Relaxing was the word that all my consultants used regularly, and what is more relaxing than painting and fly tying. This is just the beginning, of what I hope will turn into a career to take me into retirement and beyond. Between the painting, fly tying, and teaching fly fishing to all that would like to learn the art, it should keep me busy for a few years to come. My apologies for the website being incomplete, and only a few paintings to show, but my health has been a rollercoaster of a ride for over two years. I think the theme name - From Concrete to Canvas says it all.  

I hope you like some of the paintings, and please tell me what you think. 

Meet the Artist Open Evening will be held on Friday 19 September 2025, 7 - 9 pm.  Everyone welcome

Thanks Jim ‘Digseyboy Rigby 

www.lonelytreeartandcrafts.com 

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