Chris Beetles Gallery

Jon Davis (1928-2020)

Jon Davis (1928-2020)

Jon Davis was born on 14 April 1928. After several years in the Merchant Navy, he studied at the Walthamstow College of Art and the Dagenham School of Graphic Illustration. He began his career by painting romantic illustrations for women's magazines, but soon realised that he was 'happier drawing for children'. He worked as a strip cartoonist, and then concentrated on children's books, including Rupert's New Adventures. His distinctive use of hard pencil was perfect for reproduction. Davis released an original children’s book The Fantastic Adventures of Trevor & Eric in 2012 and was awarded and MBE for services to children’s literature the next year. He died in November 2020.