Terry Webster: my story
Early Years
I was born in Halifax in 1941, a good start as it means I can qualify as a proud Yorkshireman. We moved to Lincoln while I was a baby. As for the war I only have two memories; seeing lots of American servicemen and buses covered in union jacks to celebrate the end. In 1950 we moved to Chester where my father was appointed as curator of the Grosvenor Museum. His speciality as an archaeologist was the Roman Army so Chester was an ideal base for him. His eminence in this field continued to grow throughout his life.
Click HERE for Wiki link to Graham Webster.
Graham Webster, Terry's dad
Graham Webster publication
Education
My secondary education was kicked off by my failing the eleven plus. I stumbled through four years of secondary school with my progress held back by dyslexia. However, my academic deficiencies were somewhat redeemed by my athletic prowess – I was the fastest boy in the school. When we moved to Birmingham, I was sent to Halesowen College to gain some O-Levels. Here I was encouraged by a really good art teacher, and I gained a place on the foundation course at Birmingham College of Art. It was great being an art student doing what you were good at all day long. Life drawing, outdoor sketching and pictorial composition formed the basis of the course as well as a craft of your choice and sculpture. For the last two years, I specialised in illustration although my strength was really sculpture. The high point of my last year was meeting Kathy, my future wife. My parents had by now moved to Leamington Spa and we started married life in the top flat of their house in Portland Street.
My secondary education was kicked off by my failing the eleven plus. I stumbled through four years of secondary school with my progress held back by dyslexia. However, my academic deficiencies were somewhat redeemed by my athletic prowess – I was the fastest boy in the school. When we moved to Birmingham, I was sent to Halesowen College to gain some O-Levels. Here I was encouraged by a really good art teacher, and I gained a place on the foundation course at Birmingham College of Art. It was great being an art student doing what you were good at all day long. Life drawing, outdoor sketching and pictorial composition formed the basis of the course as well as a craft of your choice and sculpture. For the last two years, I specialised in illustration although my strength was really sculpture. The high point of my last year was meeting Kathy, my future wife. My parents had by now moved to Leamington Spa and we started married life in the top flat of their house in Portland Street.
pic of Kathy from college days?
Pic of an early Terry sketch ?
Teaching
To pursue a career in illustration would have meant a move to London. We had lots of friends in Leamington and I decided to take what I thought would be the easier option of staying put and becoming a teacher. I started my art teaching career in a secondary modern school in Birmingham. Loving a subject is one thing but having enough control to teach it is another matter. I survived my first year and fared a lot better in my next post in a school in Leamington. I eventually moved on to a part-time position as lecturer on the foundation course at Solihull Technical College which later became a permanent post. It was a happy and creative time because I had help and encouragement from a great group of colleagues.
To pursue a career in illustration would have meant a move to London. We had lots of friends in Leamington and I decided to take what I thought would be the easier option of staying put and becoming a teacher. I started my art teaching career in a secondary modern school in Birmingham. Loving a subject is one thing but having enough control to teach it is another matter. I survived my first year and fared a lot better in my next post in a school in Leamington. I eventually moved on to a part-time position as lecturer on the foundation course at Solihull Technical College which later became a permanent post. It was a happy and creative time because I had help and encouragement from a great group of colleagues.
pic of …?
Pic of…?
The Dutch Adventure
In 1986 my models were on display in London and were seen by a Dutch giftware manufacturer who offered me a job originating models for the European market. I enjoyed the best part of twenty years working in my Leamington studio producing sets of comic animals and making numerous trips to Holland and all over Europe. When the Dutch adventure came to an end, I became a semi-retired model maker free of commercial considerations and I continue to make anything that captures my imagination.”
pic of …?
Pic of…?
