I have no formal training but have painted for pleasure all my life. During the past few years I have painted on a fairly large scale and my subject has been mainly Dartmoor and the surrounding woods and valleys. I enjoy trying to convey the atmosphere of a particular time and place but there is also pleasure in manipulating the oil paint, usually with a knife, and seeing which colours sit well with each other. I base my work on sketches done in the open air and my own photographs. I also enjoy working in pen and wash and this has led to the creation of a small book, “Keats in Teignmouth”. I illustrated a similar book about the Cornish poet Charles Causley entitled "Charles Causley's Relatives" by Alick Cameron.

Exhibitions and Awards

In 2010 I exhibited at the Royal Bath & West Show, winning the prize for the exhibit chosen by the Society Chairman.

In 2009 and 2010 I exhibited at the Open Exhibition of the South West Academy in Exeter and at the Dartmoor Artists exhibition in Ashburton.

I am chairman of Teignmouth Art Society and exhibit with them regularly, usually selling several paintings . In 2009 and 2010 I won the award for the best overall painting.

In 2011 I participated in the Devon Open Studios.

My paintings can be seen at the Mayflower Gallery in Tavistock and at the Duchy Square Centre for Creativity in Princetown.

Inspiration

Having spent my childhood on a farm in rural Surrey I have always felt at home in the countryside. I have lived in Teignmouth and Shaldon for nearly 30 years and know the surrounding area intimately. Dartmoor is an area that I find especially inspiring. I try to convey the sense of being in a particular place in a particular light or season. My enjoyment of the application of oil paint and the use of a knife means that I am beginning to move away from completely realistic rendering of the scene.