JOHN FALCONER SLATER was known as “the Weatherproof artist” because he could be seen painting on the North East coast in all weathers.

He was born in 1857 into a Newcastle family of millers. He briefly worked in the family business and then spent time in South Africa. He returned to the North East and became a well-known and respected painter of mostly marine and landscape paintings for his entire life.

Always living in the Tyneside area, he had a studio in Newcastle centre and homes in Whitley Bay and Cullercoats. The coast and especially the sea were a constant draw and his style of painting brought ‘Impressionist art’ to the north of England.

I’ve seen many of Slater’s work go under the hammer over the years and for some reason the values have largely stayed in the low hundreds which is surprising for an artist whose work was regularly exhibited at The Royal Academy from 1889 through till two years before he passed away in 1937.

In our auction on Tuesday – our first of 2022 – we have a pair of his works showing the sea and sky at both ends of the day. They come in their original frames bearing the label of Mawson, Swan and Morgan, Newcastle, and are dated 1928.

As an auctioneer there is always some excitement when you know something has been ‘off market’ for many years and is in an untouched state so I’m hoping for some competitive bidding for Lot 327 above our estimate of £200 to £400.

Peter Robinson, Thomas Watson Auctioneers, Darlington

Tuesday sale starts at 10am with viewing on Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 1pm, and all-day Monday. Details: thomaswatson.com