Biography...

 

I have been engaged in painting and drawing since I was a small child and, until the age of 40, was self-taught.  On undertaking a Fine Art BA honours degree from 1979 - 1983, at North Staffordshire Polytechnic, I specialised in Fine Art Printmaking, gaining knowledge and experience in many printmaking techniques:  etching, silk-screen, lithography, wood-cut, lino-cut, engraving and monoprint.  See below for more examples of degree work.

 

Painting is still a major passion of mine, along with creative writing (poetry, novels and short stories) and I find a symbiotic relationship between the two disciplines.  Whilst I do still paint in a realistic manner, I also enjoy exploring a semi-abstract approach, using a variety of techniques and mediums. 

I find the two areas to be complementary and fulfilling.

 

Originally from a small mining village near Barnsley in Yorkshire, I have also lived in the Lake District and in Chester, all of which have influenced my creativity.

I now draw my inspiration from the wonderful mountains, waterways and woodlands of North Wales where I have lived since 1984.

     Since exhibiting my paintings in Pantymwyn Village Hall, together with fellow  

     artist Linda Kinsey in a joint Helfa Gelf 2014 venture, I have been invited to be

     Artist in Residence there.  

     We have a thriving Art group on Tuesday mornings, 9.30 to 11.30 where I

     enjoy encouraging and mentoring people in Pantymwyn and surrounding

     villages who wish to develop their artistic talents.

     Some members have several years experience in painting, others are just

     beginning to find the delights of artistic self expression and we all enjoy

     learning and developing together.  I will be using my blog to write mainly about

     this art group.

The silkscreen print shown above was hung in the Royal Academy in 1982.  It was chosen to represent North Staffordshire college in a nationwide competition sponsored by Stowells Wine Merchants.