Meet Gizmo

Gizmo is John’s teddy bear, lifelong companion and a frequent star of his paintings.

Born

13 November 1945
Belfast, Northern Ireland

Also known as

Gizzy

Favourite things

Whisky and honey

He has been part of John’s life since John was a baby. His full title, as John likes to announce it, is OBE PhD PI. The PI stands for professional idiot. John loves telling people this and often cracks up in the telling.

Part bear, part cat, according to John, Gizzy can be grumpy. Visitors may find themselves asked whether they have brought him whisky or honey.

In John’s paintings, Gizmo has adventures of his own. One finds him at a café in Cairo in the 1960s, drinking whisky and eating honey.

Explore John’s paintings ↗