I have always enjoyed painting. At school I enjoyed art and crafts lessons and would often draw and paint in my spare time. Back then and all through my adult life, art for me was always a pleasurable pastime, one of enjoyment and self-fulfilment, an escape from the pressures of life and work - a feeling that continues to this day.
Although my chosen career path was in a scientific field, I continued to enjoy painting and drawing and was commissioned to paint pictures by my friends and also exhibited and sold paintings at local Art Society exhibitions. However, the real catalyst that boosted my taste for art was my time with Winsor and Newton, where I began experimenting with different techniques and media and gained a deep understanding of the technical side of art materials.
I have exhibited at numerous local events and opened my studio during last years “Herts Open Studios” event. I opened again this year and I would like to thank those of you that visited my studio and to those that could not drop by for a chat and to view my work, please contact me so that we can arrange a convenient time for your visit. My studio is situated in the village of Bassingbourn, which is just north of Royston, Hertfordshire.
 | This is a photograph of my studio during the "Herts Open Studios" event during 2009, organised by the Herts Visual Arts Forum. As well as being a member of the HVAF, I am also a member of other Art Societies in Royston, Letchworth and Saffron Walden. For events that I am exhibiting at, please visit my Exibititions and Contact Details page. |
In addition to painting I have other interests, which I would like to share with you. These other interests have been the inspiration for some of my past work and I am sure they will continue to be so in the future. In all that I do I pride myself in having "an eye for detail", an important aspect of science and my own preferred artistic style, which is also reflected in my interests and hobbies.
As a young boy at school I began to collect Militaria. Growing up in the 1960's gas masks and "tin" helmets were still being found in the lofts of old houses and antique shops were full of medals, badges and cloth insignia. My Grandfather served with the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Ulster Rifles from 1933 to the end of the war and so my collection of militaria centres around the "Rifles" and from this I developed a keen interest to learn more about the regiment, its battalions and the individual stories of the Riflemen themselves. It was therefore no surprise that I eventually joined a group that portrays the 2nd Battalion RUR. It is important for me to be as authentic as possible. In the photograph all the battle insignia is original. Because I am tall, it was difficult to find an original Battledress, but the one that I purchased from Steve Kiddle at Pegasus Militaria is accurate in every detail to an original one.
This year as part of the 2nd Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles re-enactment group, I attended the 1940s Weekend (21st and 22nd August 2010) held at RAF Upwood, near Ramsey, where I collected money on behalf of the Royal Ulster Rifles Benevolent Fund. So for those of you who saw me there and gave generously, I would like to thank you and say that together we raise £100 for a very good cause. |  |
My involvement is therefore a personal one. I do not encourage the myths that glorify war, my aim is to draw attention to the fact that my Grandfather and his comrades "went to Hell and back" to protect their families and preserve what we have today. 
