Born on the Kent coast in 1945, ships and sea have always been a great influence in my life. On completion of formal education I was keen to go to art school, however in the late 1950's boys were encouraged to "go out and get a proper job". This I did.
I embarked on a successful career as a chef. This led to various college teaching jobs and finally I became head of a catering school. In the 1980's I began to paint seriously again, selling to local galleries and private collectors. In the late 90's I wanted to devote all my time to painting and took early retirement moving to Looe in south east Cornwall. I now have my own studio and enjoy the influence of the Cornish coast and all its maritime connections.
I am most influenced by the grace and beauty of classic yachts of the 1920's and 1930's and current regattas around the world. I have a deep interest in ships of Nelson's Navy and the river Thames in its heyday. In all my work I try to convey an atmosphere of what it was like at the time, with as much accuracy and movement as possible. My work has sold through Christie's and Sotheby's Maritime sales and now sells through Bonhams, London. I have completed commissions for the Royal Navy and other influential private collectors in this country and overseas including the USA, Europe and the Middle East. My work has been published byYachting Heritage in their limited edition books and I regulary exhibit as a full member with the Royal Society of Marine Artists, in their annual exhibition at the Mall Galleries, London.
I have been influenced by some of the great marine artists both past and present including W.L.Wyllie, Norman Wilkinson and Montague Dawson, with favourite artists being Terrick Williams RA and Edward Seago.