About Me

I completed my BA ( Hons) Visual Communication Design in 1986, specializing in illustration. It was 1998 when I finally turned to art full time with many project experiences and exhibitions both joint and solo. Day to day I could be working in my studio gallery, out working on commissions, teaching locally or with art groups across Yorkshire.

I live and work in my home town of Halifax, West Yorkshire, I am rooted here in Calderdale.

I became very involved in local heritage which led to my relationship with Calderdale Museums, particularly Shibden Hall, with a Halifax Heritage and Shibden Collection of prints.

Art is a very personal activity and I paint purely in watercolour. My process completely reflects my personality as I prepare with a detailed plan in pencil before layering colour in free flowing large brushstrokes to build transparent colours.

When it all seems out of control I then use the pencil plan to bring the detail back to a realistic image but still retaining some of the wild, flowing marks and texture which can only achieved with this medium.

I am interested in painting colour, texture and pattern affected by light which is reflected by my range of work, from architecture to nature. Influenced greatly by studying the watercolour techniques of John Singer Sargent many of my works search for the elusive luminescence of light.

I have sold work through local galleries over the years, including my own in Northowram and presently in Sowerby Bridge.

Joint exhibitions have taken place many times around Calderdale, Holmfirth, and Buxton, exhibiting twice at the Mall Galleries in London, where I was awarded the MaimeriBlu Watercolour Prize. This led to a 6-year contract with Woodmansterne Publications and my work selling internationally to private collectors in America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, France and Belgium.

Over the years I have held a total of 9 solo exhibitions, many within the stunning All Souls’ Church of Halifax, ‘Travelling Light’ at the Halifax Minster and ‘Three Miles from Home’ at Bankfield Museum which celebrated my artistic roots.

I have painted many commissions and this proved an advantage when I was asked to take part in the first series of the BBC production, ‘Home Is Where The Art Is’. I was lucky enough to have my work chosen by the client. The programme led me to many further commissions during the lock down.

This wasn’t my only dip into TV as I took part as a wildcard both in Knaresborough and at Studley Royal for the Sky Arts Landscape Artist of the Year.

Having been a contributor to the Calderdale Open many times this year I have been asked to be part of the judging panel, a responsibility but very exciting.

I have been lucky enough to have been busy throughout my career so far. Never one to stand still, I am making plans to move on to another new venture in 2027, so watch this space.