This painting currently hangs, amongst other owl memorabilia, in Westhoughton’s Thyme for Tea Café, a gift from the painter himself – Bolton native Alex Jackson.
Alex, 34, is an artist, a Bolton Wanderers fan, and a lover of legendary British rockers Status Quo.
Alex is also autistic.
“He’s very, very caring with his autism,” said Sue Meade, Alex’s mother.
“If he picks up on somebody that’s lost somebody, or lost an animal, he’ll do a painting for them.”
Alex’s painting of his late granddad next to the reference photo he used (Image: Alex Jackson)
Alex decided to gift Thyme for Tea café a painting because of how safe they make him feel when he goes there with his dad.
“Jane, who runs the café, is a great friend, and I go there every Sunday with my dad,” Alex told me.
“It was a photo I took a few years ago and I decided to turn it into a painting.”
Alex’s first painting – his sister’s dog Bruce – the improvement in Alex’s skill between this painting and the later paintings is clearly visible (Image: Dan Dougherty)
Jane explained to me that on a previous visit, Alex had been asking her what she would like him to paint for her.
She settled on the owl – her favourite animal – and Alex quickly set to work.
“She was gushing when I gave it to her,” Alex told me.
This isn’t an unusual reaction to receiving one of Alex’s gifts. He received similar thanks after painting the husband of a close family friend who had died.
Wendy Muldowney, the friend in question, said: “It was a beautiful act of friendship, painting the portrait of my late husband.
“It brings comfort to our family and keeps his spirit close.
“We’re deeply grateful.”
Sue told me that Wendy still struggles to look at the painting of her husband because of how lifelike it is.
Alex has only been painting for three years – not that you’d be able to tell – and has already become very proficient at producing lifelike replicas of real photographs.
Alex painted his meeting with Rick Parfitt Jr, son of Status Quo lead singer Rick Parfitt (Image: Alex Jackson)
“My first one was of my sister’s old dog, Bruce, but I’ve got a lot better since then!” he said.
Alex paints using a service called ‘Masterpiece by Numbers’, whereby photographs are turned into stencils for the artist to follow.
Even with this help, the process is not easy, as Alex’s sister, Erika Jackson, could attest – Alex first got into it when she couldn’t finish the painting of Bruce herself because of how difficult it was.
It’s hard not to sympathise with Erika here – the brushstrokes are so fine, and interwoven with such complexity, they’re almost impossible to make out unless you stand close.
The precision required is remarkable.
Close up of the brushstrokes on Alex’s picture of his granddad (Image: Dan Dougherty)
“I do have a very good eye for detail because of my autism,” Alex said. “They usually take me a couple of days.”
“Weeks!” Sue interjected, “weeks, not days!”
“He’s got no sense of time,” Sue explained.
Another hobby of Alex’s is drawing and painting football team logos – a hobby he takes seriously enough that he’s filled two thick folders with his drawings.
Alex is currently working on drawing the Birmingham City crest (Image: Dan Dougherty)
“I trace them freehand from the computer,” Alex said.
This is, again, surprising, given how precise the lines are. They look like they’ve been made using ruler and protractor, not like they’ve been traced directly from a curved computer screen.
“He’s so precious about them. Whenever I go into his room, it’s like stay away! Stay away from the drawings!” Sue said.
Alex’s drawing of the Bolton Wanderer’s crest – his favourite team (Image: Dan Dougherty)
Alex has plenty of time to spare to work on his art, as he’s currently unable to find a job. His mum says many places are unwilling to employ people they know have disabilities, which makes it extremely difficult.
“It’s an absolute nightmare,” said Sue, “and all he does is desperately want to work.”
He’s previously worked as a Christmas temp at M&S, and currently works the kiosk at Bolton Wanderers on matchdays, but other than this, he has no paid work.
“We’re trying to find something at a supermarket, behind the tills – that’d be perfect,” said Sue.
“So rather than just staying in every day playing FIFA, he puts his time into the art.”
“I do also take commissions!” Alex told me, after I proposed that he start selling his work.
Alex has produced eight paintings in total – each time spending £80 on the required equipment, not including the cost for framing the completed pictures.
Alex has also completed several paintings of his favourite band, Status Quo.
Alex’s painting of Status Quo, another of his earlier paintings (Image: Dan Dougherty)
“I’ve been to see them 30 times now – the first time I went to see them I was four.”
Alex has met the band on four occasions. Alex even had the opportunity to gift one of his paintings to Rick Parfitt Jr – son of the late Status Quo lead singer Rick Parfitt.
Alex gave a painting of the late Status Quo lead singer Rick Parfitt to Rick Parfitt’s son – Rick Parfitt Jr (Image: Alex Jackson)
The painting features Rick Parfitt Jr with his father. Alex decided to paint it for Parfitt Jr after his father had passed away, again giving it as a free gift.
“They even recognise you when they see you in the crowd now, don’t they Al,” Sue said.
Another passion of Alex’s is football. He’s a former Bolton Wanderers season ticket holder, and currently works on the kiosk on matchdays.
Alex working on one of his football club crests (Image: Dan Dougherty)
“The ultimate would be to help make shirts for Bolton Wanderers – doing the printing,” Sue said, “because he’s so precise.”
I would be a neat way of combining his artistic talents, love of football, and growing need for paid work.
“Even if I did get a job, I’d still want to do the kiosk on weekends, and I’d still find time to do the art,” said Alex – “I like to keep to my routines.”
On Thursdays, he also plays football with local team AFC Masters – a team run for children and adults with disabilities. Alex plays in midfield.
“I’ve got a good first touch,” Alex told me, “good vision as well.”
“So you’re the brains of the team?” I said.
Alex just laughed, although he didn’t disagree.