I am very tall. 6 foot five. In school they used to build the line up for the school photo around myself and my friend Owen Rees (equally tall). Obviously something to be very proud of and I think I even used that fact to impress my wife when I first met her.
Observations of a London Commuter
My one being sporting achievement was winning my heat in my Junior school obstacle race. I almost one the final but Anne Evans ran me down just at the end. I was philosophical about it as she had helped me do the butterfly stitch on the pencil case we all had to make in class.
I do a lot of paintings based on my experiences of commuting. One incident I haven’t portrayed on canvas yet is when I was run over by the refreshment trolley. I couldn’t get a seat so sat on my bag on the floor. I fell asleep and the next thing I knew the trolley was bearing down on me. Still having counselling.
I love football and am a football coach. Much to my sons amusement I have just started to get into walking football. I even managed to fall over going after the ball which they thought was hilarious.
I’ve always painted. I am self taught and love painting. My work is based on my day to day observations, memories and imagination. I never paint from life. I remember the first painting I sold was of a battle scene to a lad in my class for 10p in junior school. Unfortunately the next time I made a sale was about 20 years later.
I play drums in a dads’ band. I wouldn’t say I’m a natural but I have a good go. Its all a bit Dad’s Army as we forget the intro and ending of songs on a regular basis. Recently we decided that we would try writing our own material. I came up with a song called “Turkey Lady” based on my wife always wanting turkey for Christmas whereas I want to try something else. Unfortunately the rest of the band thought it was rubbish and didn’t want to do it. A very sad day for music.
I have two Westies - brilliant dogs. They always lounge around the studio when I’m painting. Unfortunately Ted, the eldest, is getting on in years and has a bit of a wind problem now. I often have to ask him politely to leave as it does interfere with the artistic process.
I worked in Los Angeles for a year after completing my law degree, tutoring the boys of the actor Christopher Cazenove whilst he was acting on Dynasty. I used to help out at their showbiz parties and my claim to fame is that I served drinks to Joan Collins – possibly even offered her crudites with dip as well but I can’t remember.
I’ve worked for the same firm of Scrivener Notaries in London for 30 years. As a scrivener Notary I work in both French and Italian. I love the job but looking back I’m amazed I’ve lasted so long in it. In the early years as a trainee I often use to slope off to the loo to have a sleep in the cubicle.
My advice to any aspiring painter would be to stick with it. Keep working at it. A little bit and often. I’ve been involved in a number of interesting projects with my painting over the years. I’ve done an album cover, music video, book cover, greeting cards and a limited edition range of accessories (mobile phone case, beach bag, wash bag) for Ted Baker. The book I’ve just brought out is my latest project and I would like to have a go at compiling other themed books of my paintings in the future.