Jim Riley was born in Oswaldtwistle Lancashire in 1928, and as teenager explored the Pennine Moors by cycle, which inspired his first landscapes. His first oil painting was of the farm, Top Within's as depicted in Wuthering Heights. He studied at Accrington College of Art, (when it was an Art college) then worked as a textile designer.
In 1969, with his wife Marion Bradley, he moved to Ambleside. They opened a small gallery there, until they decided to paint full time in 1979.
Jim has had a lifetime of interest in climbing and hill walking in the Lake District, Wales, the Pennines and Scotland etc. This is reflected in his watercolours, which are mainly of mountains and weather effects, although he also enjoys painting the rocky becks and the old farm buildings of the north and west. In the past he has been familiar with many of the major and minor climbing routes in the Lake District, Isle of Skye and North Wales etc. He has a passion for these upland regions where he gains inspiration for his atmospheric paintings with their unforgettable style. His other interests are mountain hiking, reading climbing and walking historical books, maps, and a passing interest in steam and things mechanical.
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