I am a professional artist working in watercolour and oils, and since moving to Derbyshire thirty years ago the landscape of the Peak District has provided me with constant inspiration for my paintings. The contrasting aspects of the Dark and White Peaks with the landscape shaped by agriculture and heavy industry is of continuing interest. However I am not restricted to the one county and have painted throughout Britain, the Lake District and Yorkshire Dales being particular favourites.
The tradition of the Romantic movement may be discerned in my work, but a long association with farming informs an awareness that this is a working landscape; realism as opposed to idealism. Usually working ‘en plein air’ the Pre Raphaelite precept of truth to nature can probably be seen in my closely observed work. Although primarily a landscape painter I also produce still life, urban and industrial scenes, and some more unusual narrative paintings which frequently confront notions of mortality and the passage of time.
I was educated at Wellingborough Grammar School and Trent Park College of Education where I qualified as an art teacher (receiving a ‘Distinction’ in art), although I did not pursue teaching as a career.
I was elected a member of the Northampton Town and County Art Society in 1985 and Peak District Artisans in 2011 with whom I exhibit. My paintings are in the collections of Derbyshire County Council, Wellingborough Borough Council, The Landmark Trust and Sir Paul Smith, as well as numerous private collections from America to Zimbabwe.
Selected exhibitions
Royal Academy Summer Exhibition – 1993/2013
Royal Watercolour Society Open – 2009/10/11/12
Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour – 2014
Sunday Times Watercolour Competition – 2008/12/13/15/16/17/18
Buxton Museum and Art Gallery – one man show 2010
Selected Awards
Derbyshire Open Art Competition – Watercolour prize 2003/08/12 County Council Award 2014/16/18/19
Derby City Open – Tregonning Gallery Award 2008 Derbyshire Life Award 2012
Wellingborough Open Art Competition – 2nd prize 2001/02 3rd prize 2000