I grew up in 1960’s Wallsend, North Tyneside and lived five minutes walk from Swan Hunter shipyards. I first sketched the cranes there and Newcastle city centre during my first year at North Tyneside College.

I left school at 16 and worked on building sites for three years until I started art classes at North Tyneside College where I was taught and inspired there by Maurice McPartlan who introduced me to the work of many artists including Stanley Spencer and Eric Ravillious. Mr McPartlan encouraged me to study art full time which I continued at Newcastle College of Art in the early 1980s where I was taught by Jeff Johnson whose influence continues to this day. At that time I didn’t know anyone who made a living selling paintings and so after completing an Art Foundation course then an HND in graphic design and illustration. I worked as a designer for over 20 years in Newcastle and London. Drawing was an important and enjoyable part of my job. During these years I painted in my spare time before becoming a full-time painter.

I am fortunate to have had my oil paintings included in the 'Lowry and his Legacy' exhibition at the renowned Clark Art gallery where my paintings were exhibited until my dear friend Bill Clark retired last year. One of my paintings 'Waiting for the Only One's' can be viewed on a BBC online gallery of works included in the Lowry and his Legacy exhibition in the link underlined above.