Thank-you for taking time to view
my gallery.
I am a British artist and currently prefer painting
in oils though I like to experiment with all mediums.
Photography has always been a significant influence
on my artistic appreciation and I am always looking
for interesting images and subject matters. I especially
like skies and cloud formations.
I have a strong interest in colour and the science
of colour. I particularly like the interaction of
light and dark in forming good composition.
After working in the industrial and scientific worlds
for most of my life, I am now letting my artistic
side come to the surface and using the knowledge and
influences gained during my career to produce my art.
Biography
I was born on the north-east coast of Lincolnshire
in 1963 and apart from a period of service in the
Royal Navy have lived there all my life. So the sea
and the coastal environment has always been a part
of my life along with the rolling Lincolnshire Wolds
and expansive skies.
Since my early teenage years I have had a passionate
interest in photography. At that age I dabbled with
other forms of art (drawing and painting) but I was
more attracted to the scientific aspect of photography:
Physics and chemistry. My parent’s bathroom
was often turned into a temporary dark-room!
The first time I remember going into an art supply
shop was when I was about sixteen or seventeen to
buy brushes and paints to hand-tint some black and
white photographs.
After leaving the Royal Navy I returned to my scientific
background by working in the laboratory of a company
that produces titanium dioxide white pigments. You
would be amazed at how many different shades of white
it is possible to produce! Over the years I have gained
a thorough knowledge of the pigment, dye and paint
industries.
Recently I have successfully gained a Masters Degree
in Colour Application Technology from the Colour Chemistry
Department at Leeds University.
This has reinforced my knowledge of the science of
colour, in particular the methods of applying colours
to surfaces; the way that pigments and dyes can interact
and the psychological and physiological effects that
colour can have on people
It wasn’t until my wife bought me a series
of watercolour lessons with a local artist, Leslie
Treacher that I actually made time for my art.
Over the last four years Leslie has guided me through
the techniques of watercolour and for the last 2 years,
oil painting.
I have exhibited in local amateur exhibitions and
have won prizes for Best in Show.
I have always enjoyed working with my hands and being
creative and this has developed recently into producing
handmade electric guitars for my youngest son to play.
About my Art
My artistic influences stem from my interest in photography
however as I have moved through life the works of
various artists have provided pleasure and inspiration.
Some of those are: Albrecht Durer; Rembrandt; JMW
Turner; Arthur K Maderson and Ken Howard to name a
few.
I tend to paint from photographic images though I
do not like to paint too ‘tightly’ and
I much prefer a ‘loose’ painting style
with oils being my preferred medium.
Strong composition and colours with contrast between
light and dark tones play a part in my art but also
the subtleties of gradually changing colours can have
dramatic effects on the overall impression of a finished
artwork.
I am still learning the techniques of an artist (and
I’m sure I will for many years to come!) and
it is exciting to apply those techniques until they
become ingrained and essential to the style of artwork
that I produce. I expect my style to evolve over time
but I will always look back to my first few years
of work and be encouraged by it and the guidance given
by my art teacher.
