I was born in Greenock, Scotland in 1945 and drew and painted from an early age. A very wet holiday in Cornwall 35 years ago rekindled my love of drawing and I have been painting seriously for nearly 30 years. Originally my preferred medium was watercolour and due to its very unpredictable nature a difficult medium to work with, but I love the immediacy and effects only achieved with watercolour. I appeared on Channel 4 television in Watercolour Challenge when I painted a scene looking across the Thames towards the old Billingsgate Market. However over the last 7-8 years the majority of my work has been oils, mixed media and pastels.

Most of my work is either painted “plein air” on site or developed from sketches. I do believe however, that sound drawing skills provide the basis of all painting, whichever the chosen medium. My work is a loose realistic style with very varied subjects ranging from marine/river scenes, to landscapes as well as portraits, life and the odd floral study.

After attending various Wednesday painting sessions and going on a number of Wapping painting trips to France and Holland I, like every other member before me put myself up to be a candidate and then a member I was honoured to be elected a member of The Wapping Group of Artists in 2007 and thoroughly enjoy meeting on a Wednesday and painting with a likeable group of fellow artists. I am currently treasurer of the group.

I have been exhibiting for many years with Chelsea Art Society and in 2010 won the prize for best watercolour at their Annual Exhibition. I was subsequently invited to become a member of the Society. I am also an exhibiting member at Guildford and Farnham Art Societies. I have had pictures accepted at RSMA and ROI exhibitions at The Mall and also at The Bankside Gallery in The London Lives exhibition together with RWS Summer Exhibition.

Since taking early retirement my time is fully occupied either painting or holding painting classes in Elstead, as well as holding painting days, workshops and demonstrations.

Address: “Foxlow”, Thursley Road, Elstead, Surrey GU8 6DW