Biography

Scottish born, living and growing up in Greenock, I spent the major part of my career working in the shipyards on the river Clyde, funnily enough as a painter. 

My early influences and inspiration to become an artist came from some of the great artists and characters in my own area, namely James Watt, who portrays the river Clyde and shipyards beautifully with his bold, loose and colourful style.
 
As I developed and matured over the years my inspiration came from all the great works of art from the Renaissance masters of the past. I love this period in art history and aspire to paint in the style and method of the Dutch and Italian masters of this time, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Rembrandt and Caravaggio to name but a few. 

I am self taught and continually strive to further my knowledge, understanding and application of paint and I am looking forward to  studying at the Florence Academy of Art after I retire from the fire service at the tender age of fifty five.

I lean towards portraiture and figurative work of both the human and animal form and this constitutes the vast majority of my work, although I do accept commissions taylored more towards the customers requirements. 

I've had a great deal of success exhibiting and selling commissions throughout the UK and overseas. Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service commissioned two oil paintings that now proudly hang in their headquarters in Hamilton, selling prints to raise money for the Fire & Rescue Service National Benevolent Fund.

I do hope you enjoy browsing my website and if you would like to be kept informed of updates to my site or future exhibitions please send me your details and I'll add your name to my mailing list. Thanks.....