About Me
I started drawing at school a trillion years ago using only graphite pencils which in a 1960’s comprehensive school were cut down to around 3 ” per student and the paper we used was any that was available at the time.
I had always loved to draw, but coming from a working class world a career in art was not what was expected of any young man leaving a council school with a certificate in “how to get by.”
My life since those youthful heady days has been varied and unusual to say the least. In 1977 I became a professional singer and was lucky enough over the next 30 years to sing all over the world, supporting many stars in the entertainment business.
After music I tried to get a normal job but this proved far easier said than done. Consequently I tried to achieve what I could not at school, obtain a decent education. Eventually this endeavour led to a place at Manchester University studying Politics and Modern History before gaining employment with Bolton Metropolitan Council.
However, after five years my health took a turn for the worse, depression and anxiety is not something that can be remedied easily.
The return to drawing, has in many ways been my salvation although how my wife puts up with my tantrums when things are not going well, I simply don’t understand.
Art is personal to everyone but when I draw I try to make my subjects come to life, I try to make them speak, I try to breathe life into them as they breathe life into me.
AAA SPRING EXHIBITION
My latest work in coloured pencil, “King of Fisher’s”
Published Art
The drawing of my train as it was published in “Color”.
Latest Commission- St Annes Council - Celebrating St Annes On Sea’s 150 Birthday
I was commissioned by St Annes on Sea Council to produce a piece of art, in coloured pencil, that portrays the twin lodges as they are today and the old Ashton Theatre that was destroyed by fire in the 1970’s. This proved more difficult than expected as I had little in the way of reference photography, showing the front elevation, to go on.
Once I had the theatre in place I decided to enhance it b