After a 2-year Foundation Course at St. Martin’s School of Art, I became an Assistant to Edward Delaney, a well known scenic artist, who painted most of his backcloths on the studio floor in the continental manner. We worked on scenery for everything from Grand Opera to Bertram Mills’ circus!
I wanted to continue working in the theatre in any capacity and gradually progressed from Dresser, to Costumer Supervisor and finally as Designer for Opera, Film, Theatre and Television productions for several years.
In 1978 after taking part time life classes I became obsessed with drawing for its own sake, and went to City and Guilds School of Art as a mature student for a 3-year painting diploma course, and was then offered a Post Graduate place at the Royal Academy Schools for a further 3 years. I left in 1984 and have since concentrated on my own painting and drawing. Apart from a passion for trees, my work is mainly concerned with painting people in their environment and so Portrait Commissions are always welcome.
After discussing a sitter’s and my ideas I make sketches and take photographs before preparing the canvas and require eight to twelve sittings in my studio unless it is necessary to work elsewhere. Sittings are mainly from two to three hours with plenty of breaks.