I was born in County Durham, England and have been living in Southern Illinois for 15 years. As most artists, I've drawn and painted most of my life, starting in early childhood.
My mentor was an English commercial artist, Thomas Doughty. In the early days of my study, I also visited the studio of the renowned painter Edward Seago to watch him working. Seago's realistic, yet loose, style has always been a major influence on my painting.
The variety of my subjects is a reflection of that which stimulates my interest or imagination at any given time. However, echoing my love of the outdoors, my first passion is painting skies, seas and landscapes. I love these subjects because they change from moment to moment and are a constant challenge to capture on canvas. I want my work to be a visual enjoyment and for my paintings to both harmonize and coordinate with the decor of my patrons' homes.
Although having painted in most mediums, my preferred choice is oil. This really suits my freer style of painting and enables me to express the color and mood of my work without losing realism. I once said I want my paintings to be as fresh and vibrant as the tubes of paint they come from.
My work has been exhibited in numerous exhibitions in both the USA and England. I'm a member of the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society and am also an Illinois State Artisan.
Additionally, my love of painting has taken me to local schools and community groups to help the next generation learn about the world of painting. I openly welcome budding painters and visitors to my studio.
