About the Artist
I was brought up in Hull, East Yorkshire, and studied Art to Advanced Level. After leaving school however, I trained to be a teacher, and Art was never one of the subjects I taught. For a short time, whilst still at university, I attended evening classes at Birmingham College of Art. During that period, I became a Christian, and my Christian faith has been the major motivating factor in my life ever since.
I am secretary of Aberdyfi Art Society and I was a founder member of the Tywyn Art Group.
I am married to Brian and have 3 grown-up children, 3 grandsons and a granddaughter.
As a toddler (so I’ve been told!), I adorned a newly decorated wall with scribbles, and since then I have always enjoyed drawing and painting for relaxation, but it never played a prominent part in my life. In 1997-8, Brian and I spent several months in New Zealand, where the spectacular scenery really inspired me to paint. In early 1999, we “retired” to a beautiful area on the west coast of Wales where I found the opportunity to develop my painting more seriously.
In the last few years, as well as getting out and about painting on location, I have been involved in local craft fairs and given demonstrations of art and craft work at Craft Days at the Baptist Church in Tywyn.
On several occasions I have taught a series of daytime drawing lessons to adults, and following on the enthusiasm of those who have attended, I have developed a written Drawing Course of six lessons for beginners, which can be used not only by groups, but also by individuals home. There is an option to use it entirely on your own, or I can give personal tuition, in which case you would need to send your exercises to me for evaluation and comment. If you are interested in doing this course, please Email me.
A Tywyn & Dysynni Valley booklet.
Because I have done so many paintings of scenes in the area where I live, I have produced a small booklet containing scenes from the Tywyn & Dysynni Valley area (not Aberdyfi yet - that may come later!) The pictures are interspersed with comments giving a bit of information about the area. The booklets are £4 each.
I produce calendars each year featuring my paintings, also packs of notelets from computer images, and I make hand-assembled greetings cards using computer prints of my paintings. These are on sale in "Hafan" in the High Street, Tywyn (next to the Chemist's), in the Post Office, High Street, Tywyn, in Penrhos Service Station in Aberdyfi, in Unit 12 at the Corris Craft Centre and at The Dyfi Arts Guild's new Gallery and Shop at Y Plas in Machynlleth.
To find out more about the Dyfi Arts Guild
They will shortly be available at "Advent", soon to open in the High Street, Tywyn, opposite Page's Furnishings. If you are not in the area, they can be ordered directly from me. Cards and notelets featuring Talyllyn Railway scenes can also be purchased from the Talyllyn Railway shop at Wharf Station, Tywyn.
If you are in the area, a selection of my original paintings, as well as prints, can be seen at “Hafan” in the High Street, Tywyn. Some original paintings are on display in the Cafe at Corris Craft Centre, in the Dolgoch Falls Hotel and some prints and originals in The Dyfi Arts Guild's new Gallery and Shop at Y Plas in Machynlleth.
I see my painting very much as an integral part of my faith, and I seek to show something of the beauty, wonder, fascination and glory of the creation around us in my work.
I am very happy to accept individual commissions. Contact me to discuss your requirements.
And finally.....
Many people have told me how much they appreciate their artwork, especially those for whom I have painted commissions. I include a few comments here to whet your appetite!
"The painting is lovely". Debbie, Birmingham
"There is so much more feeling and depth in the painting than any photograph could convey and it has captured exactly the spirit of a very important building for me and my family. It occupies pride of place in our living room and has been the subject of many admiring looks by friends and family." Tony, Lancaster.
"I am absolutely thrilled with my prints." Connie, USA
" I can honestly say that everyone that has come into our house and has seen the painting has said how good it is. It was definitely a pleasure planning and watching the painting "grow". I kept every picture you sent me as you added and accommodated (very patiently) my ideas. Thank you, you really did bring an image in my mind to reality on canvas." Rosemary, West Midlands.
"I am very pleased with the painting and so are family visitors. The painting has taken pride of place in our lounge for all to enjoy." Gwyn, Broughton, Flintshire.