Romeo Toogood facts for kids

Romeo Toogood (born May 6, 1902 – died August 11, 1966) was an artist and teacher from Ulster, a region in Northern Ireland. He was especially known for his beautiful landscape paintings.

Early Life

Romeo Charles Toogood was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on May 6, 1902. His father, Charles Toogood, was a stone-carver. He had moved from England to help build the famous Belfast City Hall.

Romeo married Anne in 1932. They had four children together.

Education and Teaching

Romeo Toogood went to Hillman Street Public Elementary School. At 14, he started working as a painter and decorator.

He began his art training at the Belfast School of Art in 1922. He finished his studies there in 1925.

From 1925 to 1928, Romeo taught evening classes at the College. He saved enough money to go to the Royal College of Art in London. He planned to study there for three years. However, his money ran out sooner. He asked the College to let him finish a year early, and they agreed.

Romeo Toogood returned to Belfast in 1930. He started his first teaching job in 1931 at Larne Technical School. In 1933, he moved to Down High School. He worked there part-time until 1948. During this time, he also taught at Dungannon Technical School starting in 1932.

In 1948, Romeo joined the teaching staff at Friends' School, Lisburn. He stayed there for one year. After that, he became the master of painting and drawing at Belfast College of Art. He taught at the art college until he retired in 1963.

Romeo Toogood taught many students who became famous artists. Some of them include Basil Blackshaw, Cherith McKinstry, Kenneth Jamison, and TP Flanagan. His students often said that his teaching helped them a lot.

The Artist's Journey

Romeo Toogood became a member of the Belfast Art Society in 1927. He liked to try out different art styles.

In 1933, he joined the first exhibition of the Northern Ireland Guild of Artists. He showed a painting of Larne and three lino-cuts. A critic said his work had "vitality and purposefulness."

In 1934, Toogood showed three paintings with the Ulster Academy of Arts. This group was the new name for the Belfast Art Society. That same year, he joined the Ulster Unit. This was a new and exciting art group. Other artists in the group included John Luke and Colin Middleton. They had only one exhibition together in December 1934. Toogood showed two oil paintings there.

In 1935, the Academy made Toogood an associate member. This was a special honor. One of his paintings, Dan Nancy's, Cushendun, was shown in Dublin. It was later given to the Belfast Museum and Art Gallery. In 1936, he showed two paintings at the Royal Hibernian Academy. He was also elected to the ruling council of the Ulster Academy of Arts in 1936 and again in 1944.

In 1940, another of Toogood's paintings, Barge at Edenderry, was bought by the Haverty Trust. This painting showed a busy dock scene. It was also given to the Belfast Museum and Art Gallery.

Romeo Toogood had a painting called Gleno accepted into the Civil Defence Art Exhibition in 1943. This was a big exhibition with many artworks. His painting was one of only twelve sent to London for a larger show.

In 1944, a writer named John Hewitt described Toogood's art. He said Toogood's colors were calm. He also noted how Toogood made pleasing patterns with fields, hedges, and roofs.

In October 1945, Toogood showed two paintings at the Ulster Academy exhibition. One was a watercolor and the other an oil painting. A month later, his son Jeremy passed away. This was a very sad time for Toogood. It affected him deeply and led to his early retirement from teaching.

In 1946, the Council for the Encouragement of Music and Art bought one of Toogood's paintings. This painting was later shown in an exhibition in 1954.

In 1951, while teaching at Belfast College of Art, he helped students paint large murals. These murals were for the Midland Hotel in Belfast. They showed Ulster landmarks and dockland scenes.

In 1957, Toogood showed two oil paintings, Sammy's Boats, Ballintoy and Her New Suit. Kenneth Jamison, a former student, praised his work. He said Toogood's paintings showed "sound craftsmanship."

Toogood did not often show his work alone. But in 1958, he had a small solo exhibition at the Piccolo Gallery in Belfast. He showed landscapes and portraits, including a Self Portrait.

In 1964, after he retired, Toogood had a large exhibition. He showed 34 watercolors and 9 oil paintings at the Magee Gallery in Belfast. Most of these were landscapes.

That same year, he was made an Honorary Academician of the Royal Ulster Academy. This was a great honor. In 1965, he joined other artists in a landscape painting exhibition.

Death and Legacy

Romeo Toogood passed away in a hospital on August 11, 1966. He was 64 years old. He left behind his wife Anne, two sons, and a daughter.

After his death, the Arts Council of Northern Ireland held a special exhibition of his work in 1978. It showed his landscapes, portraits, and prints from all parts of his life. Kenneth Jamison, who was a director at the Arts Council, said that Toogood helped Ulster painting a lot. He said Toogood was able to understand many art problems.

Another exhibition of Toogood's paintings was held in 1989 at the Bell Gallery in Belfast.

Toogood's artworks can be found in many public and private collections. These include the Ulster Museum, the Royal Ulster Academy of Arts, and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. His work is also in the Down County Museum and Friends School, Lisburn.