Biography
I was born on the north-east coast of Lincolnshire in 1963 and apart from a period of service in the Royal Navy have lived there all my life. So the sea and the coastal environment has always been a part of my life along with the rolling Lincolnshire Wolds and expansive skies.
Since my early teenage years I have had a passionate interest in photography. At that age I dabbled with other forms of art (drawing and painting) but I was more attracted to the scientific aspect of photography: Physics and chemistry. My parent’s bathroom was often turned into a temporary dark-room!
The first time I remember going into an art supply shop was when I was about sixteen or seventeen to buy brushes and paints to hand-tint some black and white photographs.
After leaving the Royal Navy I returned to my scientific background by working in the laboratory of a company that produces titanium dioxide white pigments. You would be amazed at how many different shades of white it is possible to produce! Over the years I have gained a thorough knowledge of the pigment, dye and paint industries.
Recently I have successfully gained a Masters Degree in Colour Application Technology from the Colour Chemistry Department at Leeds University.
This has reinforced my knowledge of the science of colour, in particular the methods of applying colours to surfaces; the way that pigments and dyes can interact and the psychological and physiological effects that colour can have on people
It wasn’t until my wife bought me a series of watercolour lessons with a local artist, Leslie Treacher that I actually made time for my art.
Over the last four years Leslie has guided me through the techniques of watercolour and for the last 2 years, oil painting.
I have exhibited in local amateur exhibitions and have won prizes for Best in Show.
I have always enjoyed working with my hands and being creative and this has developed recently into producing handmade electric guitars for my youngest son to play.
Since my early teenage years I have had a passionate interest in photography. At that age I dabbled with other forms of art (drawing and painting) but I was more attracted to the scientific aspect of photography: Physics and chemistry. My parent’s bathroom was often turned into a temporary dark-room!
The first time I remember going into an art supply shop was when I was about sixteen or seventeen to buy brushes and paints to hand-tint some black and white photographs.
After leaving the Royal Navy I returned to my scientific background by working in the laboratory of a company that produces titanium dioxide white pigments. You would be amazed at how many different shades of white it is possible to produce! Over the years I have gained a thorough knowledge of the pigment, dye and paint industries.
Recently I have successfully gained a Masters Degree in Colour Application Technology from the Colour Chemistry Department at Leeds University.
This has reinforced my knowledge of the science of colour, in particular the methods of applying colours to surfaces; the way that pigments and dyes can interact and the psychological and physiological effects that colour can have on people
It wasn’t until my wife bought me a series of watercolour lessons with a local artist, Leslie Treacher that I actually made time for my art.
Over the last four years Leslie has guided me through the techniques of watercolour and for the last 2 years, oil painting.
I have exhibited in local amateur exhibitions and have won prizes for Best in Show.
I have always enjoyed working with my hands and being creative and this has developed recently into producing handmade electric guitars for my youngest son to play.