ABOUT ME

Photo: David and Gertie (German Wirehaired Pointer), Mull

Background
I was born in 1969 and grew up in Doncaster. From an early age I naturally took to painting and drawing, with animals and birds a recurring theme. These interests grew and continued beyond school to a degree in graphics and illustration at Leeds.

Royal College of Art in London
In 1993-95 I completed a Masters in Natural History Illustration at the Royal College of Art in London, studying under John Norris Wood and David Boys.

Society of Wildlife Artists (SWLA)
In 1992 I became a professional member of the SWLA. In 1999-2000 I took part in the SWLA New Forest project.

Curlew Action Ambassador

Curlews are in crisis: once a common sight they are now one of the world's most threatened birds. Curlew Action is working in Britain and Ireland and with partners overseas to save them. I am delighted to be a Curlew Action Ambassador.

Wildlife Books
My publications include 'Otter Shores' published in 2011 (solo project), 'True to Form' in 2007 (solo project), 'On the Edge' in 2005 (joint project), 'Drawn to the Forest' in 2000 (joint project), 'Modern Wildlife Painters' in 1999 (joint project), 'Copper River Delta' in 1998 (joint project) and 'Flight of the Cranes' in 1995 (joint project).

Wildlife Paintings and Drawings
My artwork is a lively representational and intimately observed response, captured through field sketches and painting, of my travels around the UK. I work in a variety of media including watercolour, acrylic and oil and more recently in 3D woodcuts.

"Light penetrates the crystal water, intricate shapes dance on the silt eight feet below. A narrow channel runs through the centre of the canal. Water lilies and weed choke the shallows. It's a semi permeable surface allowing only the lightest entities to travel over or land without sinking. Shadows are cast by this floating canopy of pads. Vivid yellow flowers and bulb like seed heads act as a nursery to many different species of fishfry, zipping through the forest of lily stems to avoid the predatory perch and pike. In the split second of an attack a shoal hurl themselves into the air. Damselflies scatter, many still clasped tail to head in a reproductive clinch. Dragon and Damselflies are what draw me to Pocklington Canal, a habitat rich in these jewel like insects, and a sign of a clean and healthy ecosystem."

Extract from True to Form

CONTACT ME

Like what you see?

Get in touch to purchase artwork and signed copies of my books, 'Otter Shores' and 'True to Form'.

I look forward to hearing from you.