Born in the shadow of Pendle Hill, growing up in a Lancashire mill town, studying art in the North East (degree from Newcastle Poly then post grad at Sunderland) steeped me in working class values, gave me a passion for social history and industrial heritage, but also a dark sense of humour.

Aged nine I won my first art competition, a road safety campaign for Lancashire police. Things were a bit different in the 1970's it was the most gory picture you could imagine, a child psychologist would have had a field day. But it gave me confidence to post endless paintings to Vision On. Each week I waited by the tv to see my fantastic art in 'the gallery'. Nothing...who knew you needed postage stamps? I realised then that being an artist wasn't going to be easy, but I was determined...

Here I am forty odd years later, hopefully a bit more humble.

It's not been an easy journey but I have managed to carve a career over the last 30 years as a professional artist working in Community Arts, as a buyer in galleries, artist in residence and as the owner of various galleries most recently Oriel Haywire in Llandysul. I am now happily settled on a Welsh hillside in a small studio painting full time with my two dogs by my side and I love it.

Colour and humour guide my endeavour to create vibrant, uplifting artworks for fed up people. My paintings evoke memories of lost weekends in the country, salty beach holidays on the coast or cheeky characters to raise a smile. A customer described my work as 'dopamine hits of colour' on her wall a reminder every time she walked past 'to breathe, refocus and smile'. A quick instant fix in this mad, depressing world...

The Owd Lasses

The Owd Lasses developed as a reaction to living with my Mum an octogenarian with attitude and willing accomplice to some rebellious friends. These wonderful characters have evolved into bittersweet observational vignettes of the often overlooked, older generation. Each original painting comes with a backstory telling the story of these feisty, strong women who are just trying to make sense of our messed up modern world, glamour pusses of yesteryear in all their faded glory. I am thrilled that people are now viewing these as collectable art. Not your sweet grannies who knit, more likely to give you a tip on the 2.30 from Kempton Park whilst asking you for a light.

Why not commission yourself or a loved one as an Owd Lass or Lad? I am always honoured to immortalise customers' irreverent relatives as an unusual, special birthday or retirement gift or even in memoriam artworks. I enjoy hearing people's history and weaving this into a narrative, capturing their spirit and fun whilst coming up with a caption.

I also accept commercial commissions from business owners looking for unique merchandise. Imagine a quirky character painted outside your business (chip shops, bistro, florists, pubs etc) I then produce cards, prints on canvas or mounted giclee prints as well as the original painting as exclusive merchandise. Some businesses then sell these for a charity or send them as unique or gifts. Prices and terms on request.​