The Moseley School of Art Association
| T.H.W. ( Bob ) Ashby ATD RBSA | ||
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Bob, who was born on the 11th. May, 1927 at St. Leonards on Sea, Sussex, England is a very popular former art teacher at the school, having taught there from 1958 until 1973, when he became Director of Art & Design at the King Edward School, Birmingham, remaining there until 1985. As well as being a very keen exhibitor and supporter of the Association and its aims, he has very kindly agreed to act as the Moseley School of Art Association's Academic Officer. His role is to advise the Association and to liaise with the media on matters relating to academic and educational matters. Educated at Bexhill Grammar School, Bob saw wartime service with the Royal Navy, British Pacific Fleet, toward the end of World War II. He trained at Eastbourne School of Art following demob in 1947 and was awarded the National Diploma (Design) in 1951, specialising in the areas of Painting and Printmaking. There followed a period when Bob painted as much as possible, whilst taking on as many 'part time' jobs as possible in order to scratch a living. His first painting was accepted in the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition 1952, and he also exhibited at the R.B.A. Galleries, London. |
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Bob undertook a post-graduate teacher training course at Birmingham College of Art in 1957 and met his wife, Joy, on the same course after qualifying in 1958. Joy went to Cornwall as Head of Department, Bob joined staff at Moseley Secondary School of Art, Birmingham, where he remained for 15 happy years, during which time he and Joy were blessed with two daughters, Johanna and Rebecca. Becky tragically died after a long illness in 2005, having been a professional musician (piano and bassoon) and had been credited on CD's etc. for compositions and arrangements. Jo is now, like Bob, an exhibiting member of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists, and is gaining a significant reputation as a painter herself, whilst maintaining the role of what is now a part-time deputy head in S.E. London. |
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Bob and Joy pictured recently |
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After his time at Moseley School of Art, Bob taught evenings and weekends at the Midlands Arts Centre and Institute of Adult Education and, in 1973 was appointed Director of Art and Design at King Edwards School, Birmingham, where he remained until taking early retirement in 1985 due to ill health. At this time, Joy was now working for the National Trust as custodian of Grey's Court, near Henley on Thames. Bob assisted her, but as a volunteer. For the last nine years of her time with the National Trust she was custodian of Fenton House, Hampstead, London, where Bob also worked as a volunteer. During this time Bob continued with his painting, and was, for three years, art tutor at the Royal Free Hospital. |
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"Sky over Tysoe Fields" T. H. W. Ashby A pastel (33" x 27") exhibited and sold at the 2003 Moseley School of Art Association Exhibition |
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| Joy joined Bob in retirement in 2002 and they now both enjoy a more rural life at their cottage at Upper Tysoe, Warwickshire, where they now paint full-time. | ||
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