I have recently been illustrating for ‘MEED’ – the business magazine focusing on the Middle East. As an example of how the modern world works; I am in rural Somerset, England and this particular client is based thousands of miles away in Dubai. We work together entirely over (read more…)
I give away a drawing with each newsletter I send out. The most recent winner has sent over a few comments about the drawing he won which I have posted below. If you want to win a drawing too then just sign up to my newsletter in the box provided (read more…)
This framed painting is available to buy here or to buy as a limited edition print here I was recently commissioned to do a watercolour of Borough Market in London at the south end of London Bridge in Southwark. Although sellers have been on the site for well over (read more…)
I was talked into entering the Pintar Rapido – create a picture in a day. This is a self-explanatory exhibition based in Kensington and Chelsea, London. Essentially you have a day to complete one picture in the borough of Kensington and Chelsea and deliver it to the Town Hall in (read more…)
I will be giving away this preparatory drawing in my next newsletter in a few days. If you would like to take part in the free draw to win her then just sign up in the box to the right or just mail me. Who is she? I was working (read more…)
I paid a quick visit to Porlock Weir on the North Coast of Exmoor National Park. This is a very tiny fishing village tucked beneath the high hills and bluffs of the National Park, accessed by a single and often precipitous road. As you enter the village there is a short terrace (read more…)
As a lifetime ‘Towny’ I have to confess that I had never been to an agricultural show in all my life so I jumped at the opportunity to pop over to The Royal Bath & West Show. It was a fascinating day with every aspect of country life catered for (read more…)
I have recently completed a commission for a client who requested three views near the Thames at Waterloo in London. The location was the only restriction really and within that area it was a pretty open brief. I had a generous deadline too so I could look about and choose (read more…)
Looking for subjects to draw and paint can be a bit frustrating sometimes. It’s not that there is nothing on offer to work on in London; it’s totally the opposite. There is far too much choice and I end up springing a trap on myself looking for the perfect (read more…)
I was recently invited to exhibit at the Scrap Book Live event organised by Illustrationweb at The Griffin Gallery in London. It was a great night which included live portrait painting by Sarah Beetson and some great calligraphy demonstrations too. Exhibiting my work next to such great talent is always (read more…)
The weather in the last year in the UK has been nothing short of appalling. There are only so many winter scenes or rainy landscapes an artist can cope with. Yes, this last year would have even challenged the great Turner. I have to say though the last week things (read more…)
I was recently asked to illustrate a cover for ‘The Celebration of Dubai Airports 2013’ brochure cover. I used to do technical illustration in the pre computer days and this piece is a bit of a throwback to that. It was very enjoyable to do despite the request for ‘next (read more…)
Today it was sunny, really cold but sunny. Even though I have loads of studio work to do I decided to make the best of this rarest of days and do some work outside. Grabbing my gear I took a short walk through the village and out on the (read more…)
I give away a drawing with each of my newsletters. The winner is picked out at random from those who wish to take part in the draw. The last drawing which was a preparatory drawing for an oil painting was won by Bea from Hove, UK. She was kind (read more…)
I will be giving away this (8cm x 16cm) mounted drawing in my next newsletter which will be sent on the 4th March. The winner will be picked randomly from all those who put in a request for him. A drawing will be on offer for each newsletter from (read more…)
Getting to New York The flight we were told would take around eight hours. I mused on the fact that eight hours is a whole working day. Nothing wrong with musing I thought as I fiddled with the hopelessly optimistic ‘What to do in case of a crash’ card, I (read more…)
Dogs, dogs and more dogs East 17th Street and 3rd Avenue My first mornings drawing taught me that New York is a city of dog owners; there must be thousands of them parading up and down day and night. 5th avenue is a pampered pooch dog/catwalk show (read more…)
The House, 121 East and 17th Street When embarking on any large city break I always try to find a place which is a sort of ‘home from home’, a place I can just take it easy at any time and feel welcome with good food and drink. Never too (read more…)
Times Square As I ambled back to Times Square I felt guilty about being a bit pleased to see a proper NYC mugging just like in the films, I consoled myself to the fact that he would never catch them so would not incur any injury and his phone will (read more…)
A typical house in Hudson I could describe this street to you in detail though you know it already; you have seen it in those films. The white and pink clapboard houses, the squeaky screen doors, the stars and stripes on every cane chaired porch. The crickets chirping the church (read more…)
Verdigris Tea Room 135 Warren Street Hudson, NY 12534 This is an olive and white painted corner tea shop and gallery along Hudson Street, as well as tea they also do a nice line in cakes, chocolate and cookies too, not to mention the odd Tarot reading evening. The interior (read more…)
Those nice people at The Royal Society of British Artists have put me on their website for the 296th annual exhibition at The Mall galleries. The exhibition begins on the 6th March until the 23rd of March. I am looking forward to it, Its good to get out (read more…)
Not the biggest news in the world though I am rather pleased with it. It was taken in an allotment in Portsmouth. This allotment is one of my favourite hang out places for gardening and person inspiration. I wanted to capture the idea that I am every where. Everywhere (read more…)
I heard late last week that my painting ‘Brick Lane Market’ has been selected for The 296th RBA Annual Open Exhibition at The Mall Galleries. I am really pleased about getting in as I know the competition is rather brutal and the gallery is such a lovely place (read more…)
I am currently working on an oil painting for the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. No guarantees of getting in of course as the competition is brutal as the whole of the Cotswolds apply. They have, however, let me in a few times before so it is certainly worth a punt (read more…)
I am currently working on a commission to paint a number of scenes around the Waterloo area of London. I began just before Christmas drawing in the main façade of the station featuring commuters, Christmas shoppers, and those going on holiday. All pouring in and out of the main entrance. (read more…)
Just before Christmas I was commissioned to paint a Vespa and rider. It was for a clients husband. He got in to Scooters in his younger years and the love of all things Scooter never quite left him. The client specified a 1960’s model and in light blue too. (read more…)
A big thank you! As it’s coming to the end of the year I thought I would take the opportunity to extend a big thank you to everyone who bought my work, commissioned a piece or indeed just passed on encouragement, whether it be face to face or via whatever (read more…)
I am exhibiting at this year’s Affordable Art Fair in Battersea, London. ‘The Affordable Art Fair is returning to London this Autumn, with a feast of contemporary art from £40 – £4,000. With Battersea Park with over 100 galleries, finding the perfect artwork has never been simpler or more fun’ (read more…)
Last year I was approached to paint a picture of ‘Glorious Goodwood’ in West Sussex, England. This being one of the UK’s premier rececourses. It was a large and complicated composition so I thought I would write a quick blog on my journey along the way. The first step (read more…)
I am pleased to say I have an exhibition of Oil and watercolour paintings with ‘Addenbrooke’s Arts’ at Addenbrooke Hospital in Cambridge. From the 1st of August to 26th of September “Addenbrooke’s Arts enhances the hospital environment for patients, visitors and staff, by lifting the spirit and bringing pleasure (read more…)
My illustrators agent Illustrationweb have out a quick scrapbook together about me and my work. They asked a number of questions and a selection of which they posted on their site. If you have five minutes spare than do have a look.
I have recently joined the Illustrationweb Illustration agency. They are a great bunch of people and have offices in London, New York, Paris, Hamburg and Shanghai. “We have been representing leading illustrators since 1929 which makes us the world’s most established illustration agency” I am really looking forward (read more…)
When I popped over to The Royal Academy of Arts to deliver this year’s hopeful painting for the Summer Exhibition I was interviewed by a Journalist from ‘Artists & Illustrators magazine’. I never thought much of it, though I have discovered that they have given me a small bit (read more…)
After 23 years in London we have finally decided to move out to the country. We are now living in the Somerset village of Pilton, the home of the Glastonbury festival. They tell me we have free tickets for life. Now that’s not bad. It’s a fine location for (read more…)
During the Christmas break I made a vast Pork Pie and filled it with six eggs and half a pint of pork stock jelly. Once completed I sliced out a great hunk and painted the remainder. Looking at the final piece it has ‘Country Farm house’ written all over (read more…)
I have written a quick round up of this year. Some of the articles link to blogs in the site if you wish to see more detail. Framed paintings for sale 2011(7.5 mg pdf) Mounted Paintings for sale 201 (2.5mg pdf) Exhibitions I have been involved in a few exhibitions (read more…)
I am very pleased to hear this very dull Monday morning that my painting I entered in The Bath Prize had sold at the auction on Friday. A tricky competition to do as they choose where you paint. It is of ‘North Parade Bridge’ which would not have been my (read more…)
The last few weeks and it seems like months, have been wholly swallowed up preparing for the Affordable Art Fair. I am surprised how much work it turned out to be in the end. The invitations have been written and sent, all the bills have been paid, the labels have (read more…)
6 October 2011 – 19 February 2012 at The British Museum ‘This is a memorial to all the anonymous craftsmen that over the centuries have fashioned the manmade wonders of the world… The craftsman’s anonymity I find especially resonant in an age of the celebrity artist.’ Grayson Perry RA, (read more…)
I am exhibiting at this year’s Affordable Art Fair in Battersea, London. Over the years the AAF have generated a unique, buzzy and informal atmosphere with dozens of galleries selling their works all for less than £4,000. There is also a wide range of activities for all ages so (read more…)
The powers that be were kind enough to allow me in to the allotments at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea. A bit about the hospital The Royal Hospital was founded by fun loving so called “merry monarch” King Charles II in 1681 for soldiers of good conduct who (read more…)
Last night I dared to venture out of my London manor to The Inaugural Exhibition of ‘The Plein Air Brotherhood’ at The A & K Wilson Gallery in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. ‘The Plein Air Brotherhood’ are A new group of talented artists and like minded souls who enjoy the considerable challenges (read more…)
I have over the years painted my neighborhood, The London Borough of Hackney. Hackney could well be the most famous borough in the country and despite its often insalubrious reputation there is still something of the ‘Exciting reckless friend’ about it. Even big international brands have recognised the ‘outsider’ reputation (read more…)
More good news. Creative finder have also decided to make me a featured artist in their newsletter and on their home page too. It’s a really great site to be on and offers excellent opportunities for commissioning work and for other curative’s to see and appreciate the work of their (read more…)
I recently visited the French Pyrenees for a painting trip. It’s a wonderful place, and along with the paintings I took some time to write a small journal for this blog. Thanks for reading. Our landing at Lourdes Of course the most famous thing about this modest Pyrenees town, (read more…)
Luz-St-Sauveur See part 1 I was very glad to get to Luz-St-Sauveur. The day was hot and the car was dry. Luz-St-Sauveur is a lovely pre medieval village sitting at the bottom of a valley on the lip of the Pyrenees National Park and all the views you can eat (read more…)
I am pleased to say that Winsor & Newton have paid me the honour of being their featured artist on their July 2011 Newsletter. I have never won a beauty parade before (not even on Monopoly) and am blushing as I type. I have heard there are 1,000’s of artist (read more…)
June 7th -15th August 2011 I am happy to say my painting ‘Lazy Afternoon’ was selected for this year’s Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition. This year being the third year in a row. When I was first selected I was surprised to discover that on the Varnishing day (read more…)
This painting is availabe as a limited edition print I have just finished an oil painting of Brick Lane Market. Well technically it is Sclater Street although most people will know it as part of the Brick Lane market. It’s just tucked around the corner a wee bit. Blink and (read more…)