I was born in 1948 and have spent many years living abroad, mainly in France, but also Spain and Canada and have travelled extensively in India and Sri Lanka. I first hitch-hiked around France with a friend in 1965 aged 17, and repeated it twice after as an Art Student.
Most of my work is ‘visionary’ and reflects my insights into the mysteries of Nature and the Universe. It is also influenced by my travel experiences and my affinity with the natural world.
I studied Art at Guilford school of Art for my foundation course, then Sunderland University Dpt. of Art for my degree course, achieving BA (hons.) Fine Art, painting. I then gained a University of Durham teacher’s certificate.
The teacher’s certificate has helped me to survive as an Artist/Illustrator, my art was never remunerative enough to support and house a family. I have taught art at secondary school level and taught English as a foreign language in Spain, France and in England. I have also taught Art to a group of amateur artists in Le Boulou, Eastern Pyrenees, France, for two years at the association ‘Form et Lumiere.’ My last teaching work was for KCC special teachers service in England for a decade, teaching fragile children with behavioural and attendance problems, 1/1. I have often opened my studio to one or two amateur artists to help them to achieve their potential as creators.
I am and have been a travelling artist, having lived, worked and exhibited in both North and South England, three regions of Spain, two regions of France and in Canada. I have twice travelled extensively in India, for 8 months in 1979 and 6 months on another journey, when I married the mother of my children in a Hindu temple. I currently live in the Eastern Pyrenees in the small mountain town of St. Laurent de Cerdans, famed for its traditional weaving and manufacture of espadrilles.
I have exhibited in the North and South of England; London; Montreal, Hull, Toronto, (Canada) Palma de Majorca, (Spain;) Paris, (France;) various locations in Brittany (France) and in the Roussillon region of Southern France, where I currently live.
I enjoy helping people to achieve their potential as artists, so when I have a suitable studio I often have 2 or 3 students who work with me, they see how I develop my ideas and ask me for technical help or for help developing their ideas. When I lived in Palalda, outside Amelie-les-Bains, Eastern Pyrenees, I tutored an amateur Art Society, ‘Forme et Lumiere,’ in Le Boulou, with about 25-30 students of all ages from 19 to 80.