My story begins on the outskirts of Brighton in 1963, where the rolling, lush, green hills of the South Downs formed the backdrop to my childhood. I spent many hours walking with the dog or just lying in wheat fields absorbing the scenery. When bad weather forced me to stay indoors, I found solace with paper and pencils at the kitchen table. Drawing kept me occupied for hours and gave the same feeling of freedom and wonder that I found outside in nature.
The next step seemed natural. To make a little extra pocket money, I set up shop at my school desk. Thus my career as an artist began even before undertaking any formal training.
Over my career, I have experimented with a variety of styles and subjects. I love painting wildlife, particularly big cats and horses. Flowers, landscapes and nudes have all featured as themes in my work. Not restricted by canvas, I also create large-scale murals – anywhere from a child’s room to commercial shop fronts.
My desire to paint animals stems from an endless fascination with their very essence, their majesty and prowess. I strive to portray the life force within, whether through the movement of a horse in canter or the thoughts behind the eyes of a wild cat in captivity.
These beautiful beasts of burden have the very life force that runs through our own veins, a desire to be free to choose one’s own destiny, to play to one’s own strengths.
I believe that every living thing has an important role to play in the balance of our ecosystems and the beauty that surrounds us exists because of that balance. In my painting, I want to bring this to the viewer’s attention – to make them think and feel – in the hope it will increase appreciation and respect for our natural world.
