1873-1910: His early life: art schools: arrival in Newlyn: marriage.

Frank Heath was born in Coulsdon, Surrey in January 1873, the youngest of 12 children. He was educated locally and it was while at school that he first showed the talent that was to launch him on an artistic career. His early training began at the South Kensington Schools ( now Royal College of Art), followed by the Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, Belgium (1895-1897) and the Herkomer Art School at Bushey in Hertfordshire.

This photograph shows the students' music group at the Herkomer Art School circa 1898. Frank Heath is standing on the right with his violin.

While a student, Frank became a friend and admirer of the work of Stanhope Forbes and it was this that was to lead him to Newlyn circa 1900. Upon arrival, he found lodgings and a studio nearby at 

Trewarveneth Farm, Paul. His paintings at that time were typical of the early "Newlyn School" with their subdued palette and depiction of  life of the local people living around the harbour. From 1902, he started to exhibit his work at the Newlyn Art Gallery, the Royal Academy in London and Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool.

When not painting the artists certainly enjoyed themselves with parties, picnics, music and dancing. It was probably at one of these events that Frank first met Jessica Doherty who was studying at the School of Painting run by Stanhope and Elizabeth Forbes in Newlyn. Their romance blossomed and Frank and Jessica married at Paul Church in March 1910. Shortly afterwards they decided to move to the other end of Cornwall and set up their first home together at Polperro. (See Photo- Frank Heath circa 1910)