I was born just after the Second world War and spent the early part of my life in Barnsley, South yorkshire and when i think back to those early years, whilst most kids of my age were happy to play hopscotch, I was more bothered about drawing the squares on the pavements - I loved drawing it was a passion, and at every single opportunity I would pick up a pencil, crayon, pen, brush (you name it) and draw.
At the age of fifteen I left school to work underground as a coal miner (as did most other local children of my age) to help earn my keep and support our family. My passion for drawing coninued and throughout the years which followed, I entered several local and international Coal Board competitions, often winning first prize. The subjects mostly revolved around life in the pit village, above and below ground and to this day I still have a number of my winning illustrations.
My career as a coal miner was never going to be long term and in 1970 at the age of 23, I joined the prison service and soon advanced to the rank of a physical education instructor. I was always passionate about my sport and this was a career in which I excelled for the following 26 years.
During my time in the prision service I was fortunate to travel to many parts of the world representing the service in weightlifting competitions, and this period in my life inspired me to try my hand in drawing sujects relating to anatomy and physiology. During this time I produced work for the football, gymnastics and weightlifting associations - it covered a wide range of work for the physical education departments illustrating control and restraint and general safety.
In 1999 after 26 years service, i retired from the prison service on medical grounds - all the years of physical strain had finally caught up with me and it was time to move onto a less physically demanding role.
Since leaving the prison service I have spent more of my time concentrating on my art and I have been fortunate to complete work for a wide range of industries as well as a number of blue chip clients. Furthermore, I have attended many social events such as weddings, fund raising parties and birthdays - an ideal way to inject some humour into the event!
You name it, I have drawn it - cartoons, caricatures, portraits (humans and animals), landscapes, water colours, company logo's and book illustrations.
I hope you find time to browse my website and if you would like to discuss my services in more detail, please contact me by email or phone - I look forward to hearng from you.
