I was brought up on the western coastal plain of the most beautiful part of Great Britain, the Lake District. I survived a traditional grammar school education, in a town famed world-wide for its building of ships, but not for artistic awareness, despite the treasures of its hinterland.
Merciful release came in the form of four years of study and association at the University of Reading, where my horizons were opened up, not just by the course in Fine Art, but by some great people from many other disciplines.
Much to my surprise, it was the industrial nature of Barrow-in-Furness, which stimulated my interest in creating my 3 dimensional canvas constructions, as I tried to emulate the Gestalt nature of the design of the machine shapes in the shipyard. I was fortunate in receiving good advice from technicians, but more so from the strongest personal influence, Peter Kalkhof. He and Terry Frost, another tutor, who has his own place in art history, instilled dissembling attitudes to "holy cows" of the art world.
I continue to maintain a healthy scepticism for anyone who spends more time publishing manifestos about their artwork than they do creating it. If it needs words, then the piece or the painting has already failed.
After university, I did the honourable thing and got a job. I like my creature comforts, and can only create my works of abstract art in an environment of calm and order.
Education had the benefits of my skills for 17 years before the joke wore off. I had risen to the dizzy heights of Head of Department in two independent schools, when I realised the time had come to put my money where my mouth was.
I "retired" to Lancashire to test my mettle, and was rewarded by being able to improve the quality of the finished art constructions. I was also able to mount a series of one-man exhibitions as well as attracting some prestigious commissions.
Eventually, fiscal probity forced me back into the work place, and I enjoyed the next seven years working as a driver of special transport for elderly and handicapped folk.
A personal conflict "redirected" me into the experience of working abroad, as an office manager for a heavy engineering company, in the former soviet state of Azerbaijan. This was a cultural shock beyond my expectations, but it had its moments! The endemic poverty and corruption, coloured the whole perception of Azerbaijan itself, but also brought into focus one's real goals in life.
Now I have the chance to capitalise on my experiences, working in such a stimulating environment. Hopefully the finished pieces of abstract work will reflect this period of stability and calm, so hard won. Recent developments will be announced as they happen and regular web-watchers e-mailed to look out for them.  The Duddon Estuary and Millom |
 "Buckle"
This piece of abstract art was a commission using the initials of the person concerned....who by chance lived on the edge of a canal where traditional narrow boats were being used. Me! |
