Portfolio

Flask Walk in Hampstead, London

Flask Walk in Hampstead

For my subject, I chose to paint Flask Walk, a charming little walkway lined with shops and cafés, ending with a fine pub, The Flask. Interestingly, the name ‘Flask Walk’ comes from the flasks that were produced nearby to bottle mineral water from the Hampstead Wells.

You can buy this painting as a limited edition print here.

Hampstead is a true gift for a painter—I love all its hilly nooks and crannies.

I’m especially pleased that my painting sold on the very first day

A saddleback pig

Since moving from London to Somerset, I have become much more aware of livestock. I often visit local rural shows where various breeds are displayed. Among the pigs, you will find the Saddleback—a British breed recognized for its black body with a distinctive white “saddle” band around the shoulders and front legs.

You can buy this painting as a limited edition print now.

Hardy and adaptable, Saddlebacks thrive outdoors and are excellent foragers. Known for their docile temperament and high-quality meat, they are valued in sustainable farming and rare breed conservation. I have also noticed that they grow remarkably quickly—reaching an impressive size within just a year.

From time to time, you hear stories of pigs escaping onto vegetable plots. Once they do, they happily eat themselves senseless—a disaster, though still slightly amusing. That mix of character and charm struck me as the perfect subject for a painting.

The Allotment Show

A bit about The Allotment show.
The painting is based on an event at my mum’s allotment.
As the growing season nears its end the members organise an “Allotment show”. Quite a jovial affair. They pitch a large marquee, have a jumble sale and sell cake. At least thirty varieties of cake. So much cake!

You can buy this painting as a limited edition print here

A travellers caravan near Glastonbury Tor, Somerset

A fictional scene based on the many traveller caravans situated around the foot of Glastonbury Tor in Somerset.

At it’s core, the painting is a celebration of the idea that happiness is about fulfilling and celebrating our needs rather than the mere accumulation of what we want or desire.

You can buy a limited edition print of The Caravan here.

Almost all the plants in the painting are common weeds such as the much-hated bindweed. You can also find Buddleia, known as the Butterfly plant. You can find Buddleia along railways lines and derelict sites all over the UK. When we had a house in Hackney in East London, I noticed a Buddleia growing out of a gutter at the top of the house. I was most reluctant to get rid of it.

In amongst the weeds, I’ve thrown in a dilapidated, somewhat ragged old chair, and provided a musical touch via a hand-cranked gramophone. For those who want to dance, there is a disco ball to jive beneath. What’s not to like?

The original of this painting currently hangs in the bar of The Crown Inn, Pilton, Somerset. Whilst there you can have a decent beer and very good meal.

The Tate and Lyle Sugar Refinery, Silvertown, London

The painting shows Thames Refinery in Silvertown established in 1878 by famous Victorian sugar merchant and philanthropist Sir Henry Tate. He’s most noted for bringing the sugar cube to the UK and establishing the Tate Gallery.

It is one of the last true industrial landscapes in London with many of the buildings dating from the 19th Century.

You can buy a limited edtion print of this painting here

A view of a pineapple gate in West Compton Somerset

West Compton is a modest hamlet a few miles up the road from the village of Pilton where I live. I love this rather incongruous pineapple gate. They have a whiff of the Miss Havisham about them. You can buy this painting here.

A man waiting by his shed in an allotment

A bit about Waiting in an allotment

My oil painting of an allotment. I really enjoy painting allotments, especially urban ones. I have indicated the city in the background with the row of Victorian terraces. These houses were based on the street where I used to live in Hackney, East London.

Allotments are unique places of community too, they are one of the few places in British society where you are actively encouraged to be innovative, and an individual. I would also say they are pretty classless too these days. Yes, The whole of life can be found on an allotment.

This painting featured at The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition a few years back.

The opening event was an odd day. I expected to turn up at Burlington House, have a few glasses of wine with the great and the good then finally search the rooms to see if my picture was in a ‘prime place’ to add a further boost to the day.

Not a bit of it. In the square we were all assembled (even the great and the good) only to be trooped over to St James’ Church across Piccadilly for a service of thanks. Such an odd thing to see Tracey Emin singing hymns and behaving impeccably whilst sporting her Royal Academy medal. I felt rather disappointed. A little part of me wanted her to be plastered, and do something outrageous in front of the vicar.

The Standard on the High Line, New York City

The Standard is in the old Meatpacking District which runs from West 14th Street south to Gansevoort Street, and from the Hudson River East to Hudson Street.

You can buy this painting here

You can buy a limited edition print of this painting here

Denmark Street (Tin Pan Alley) in St Giles, London

Denmark Street is a street on the edge of London’s West End in the previous notorious area of St Giles.

was developed in the 17th century which brought it up in the world and since the mid 20th century Denmark Street (Tin Pan Alley) has been associated with the development of British Popular music.

You can buy this painting here

The painting is available as a limited edition print

A bee in a country allotment

When we think of an allotment or garden our minds leap to the parts that interest us the most so, Roses will be right next to Snowdrops. With that in mind the allotment is laid out with all the seasons favourites together.

I took in a whole landscape and added a bee in amongst it all. It may take a while to spot. This inspired the title ‘A bee in a country allotment’.

You can buy this painting here

You can buy this painting as a limited edition print

A painting of Padstow in Cornwall

It is refreshing to see that Padstow still has a fishing fleet. The Padstow boats were not at all shiny and bright like the restaurants they served, they were a bit rough ‘n’ ready – mostly rust-streaked with lobster pots and netting scattered over their decks. I decided that these boats and the tourists would make a decent painting.

This painting is available as a limited edition print

Cromer Pier and beach, Norfolk

What we see today was built in 1902 and is 450 feet (140 m) long. It has had bandstands and roller-skating rings added over time, not to mention a lifeboat station. And Cromer Pier as popular as it’s ever.

I don’t know why we British have such a love for these odd structures. Why do we need to wander out on them, only to wander back again? Is it a bit like going on a ship? Or is it the feeling of space? I have no idea.

This painting is available as a limited edition print

Commercial Street, Spitalfields, London

London’s East End is, and always has been in a state of flux. Nothing remains the same for long, and this instability gives rise to contrasts.

The painting is based on a crossing on Commercial Street in Spitalfields, and the original was exhibited at The New English Art Club’s Annual Open Exhibition at the Mall Galleries in Central London.

The print is available as a limited edition print here

A few buildings on Charing Cross Road, London

In my painting, I have chosen the view of the junction of Charing Cross Road (left to right) and Old Compton Street (ahead). At the far left is Cambridge Circus with the Junction of Shaftsbury Avenue.

The Greenwich Waterfront circa 1930

I love a bit of history, so I was thrilled to be asked to paint the Greenwich waterfront. Interestingly, my client did not want a contemporary view but how the area looked circa 1930.

This painting is available as a limited edition print.

A painting of Symonds Yat in the Forest of Dean

A painting of the River Wye in the Forest of Dean as viewed from the Ancient hill fort of Symonds Yat in Herefordshire.

You can buy this painting here

Glastonbury festival Car Henge storage area

I visited the Glastonbury festival Carhenge storage area to do a bit of painting. Here the eclectic, dystopian vehicles and sculptures are stored whilst the festival is not running.

You can buy a limited edition print of this painting here

The Park Stage at the Glastonbury Festival

One of my favourite stages at the Glastonbury festival is the Park Stage.I painted the initial ideas for it on a very tired Sunday afternoon on the last day of the festival. 

This painting is available as a limited edition print.

The Michelin Building, Fulham. Bibendum Restaurant

A bit about The Michelin Building

In this case it was Michelin House in the Fulham Road. Michelin House is a late Art-Nouveau masterpiece of a garage and tyre fitting centre designed by François Espinasse, and finished in 1911. Now of course it is a top quality restaurant and shops.

You can buy this painting as a limited edition print here

It is delicious and I was immediately smitten. There was no pretending I hadn’t seen it, this was the painting for me.

The White Cross Pub, Richmond upon Thames

A bit more about About The White Cross Pub, Richmond upon Thames

You can buy this painting as a limited edition print here

During the summer, I was commissioned to paint the White Cross riverside pub in Richmond upon Thames.

It is a stout and impressive London brick building, constructed in the early 19th century as a watering hole for locals, and those taking the pleasure steamers up and down the river between London and Hampton Court.

There is still a jetty out front, so I assume it serves much the same purpose today as it did all those year ago.

The name derives from the old Franciscan Friary which used to be situated on the same site. The Friary is long gone now as it was dissolved by Henry VIII in 1534

Stanton in the Cotswolds

Watercolour painting of Stanton in the Cotswolds. It was very quiet when I painted it. I believe many are holiday homes these days. After I finished the painting I made my way up to The Mount pub, which was full of walkers. Many of whom were using those long telescopic sticks to go back and forth to the bar. Keen!

The Market Porter pub, Borough Market, London

Here is The Market Porter public house in Borough market, London. The name ‘The Market Porter‘ came from Victorian times in the 1890’s, its previous name being The Harrow.

You can buy this as a limited edition print here

Glastonbury-on-Sea pier painting at The Glastonbury Festival

The Great British seaside tradition of wandering along the seafront and up the Pier. Set in a new sea of tents, with marvellous views across the entire site, the sunsets are spectacular!

You can buy this painting here

This painting is available as a limited edition print here.

A selection of four oil paintings

A group of 15cm x 15cm paintings showing a number of scenes.

Some of these paintings are available to buy here

A selection of four oil paintings

A group of 15cm x 15cm paintings showing a number of scenes including Somerset and Devon.

Some of these paintings are avialble to buy here

A painting of an urn in a sunny garden

A painting of an urn in a garden on a late summers afternoon. I really like the way the light cuts accross the garden

Maida Vale Tube Station, London

Maida Vale tube was opened in 1915, and was entirely staffed by women for the first four years. It is always a pleasure popping out of the ground at one of these old tube stations. You KNOW you are in London. You have the same effect in Paris with their elegant Art-Deco Metros.

The painting is available as a limited edition print

The Sloop Inn, St Ives, Cornwall

A pub on this site is believed to date back to 1312 and is right on the sea front in St Ives and the outside area always has drinkers in situ, whatever the weather. And all the better for it.

There is a limted edition print available of this painting here

A postcard selection of watercolours including cows and Pilton Church

A postcard selection of watercolours including cows and Pilton Church, Somerset

There is a painting blog about this

A row of shops on Royal Hill, Greenwich

Britain is a wasteland of franchise hell, so it is always a real treat, to see a little string of local shops tucked into a residential area serving a local community in Greenwich, London.

There is a limited edtion print of this painting

An aerial view of a proposed idea for the landscape Dartmoor National Park

I worked with Dartmoor National Park to illustrate a potential future view of the park. We had to develop an aerial view and incorporate many of the differing landscapes and areas of human habitation. 

The Pub, Valletta, Malta

No self-respecting Brit who likes the odd pint could visit Malta without dropping into the last watering hole of the late Oliver Reed. On May 2 1999, Oliver Reed visited The Pub while on a break in the filming of Ridley Scott’s epic Gladiator.

There is a blog about this painting here.

A painting of Pilton Church, Somerset

Like many ancient sites the church here in Pilton has been added-to over the centuries. In this case that’s a very long time indeed, over a thousand years in fact.

It was first mentioned in a charter by king Ine (whoever he was) in 725, and was under the direct obedience to the Abbot Of Glastonbury.

You can learn more about this painting here.

A selection of postcards painted around Pilton, Somerset

A selection of postcards painted around Pilton, Somerset. I ride out on my bicycle around the hills with my watercolours. helps me keep fit too.

Battersea Power Station, London

Battersea Power Station is a decommissioned coal-fired power station located on the south bank of the River Thames, in Battersea, an inner-city district of South West London. It comprises two individual power stations, built in two stages in the form of a single building.

Later made famous on the cover of the Pink Floyd album ‘Animals’.

This painting is available as a limited edition print

St James Church, Chipping Campden, The Cotswolds

Although there was a church on this site since at least 1180, this incarnation was built in the 15th Century with bits added over time. For example, the clock mechanism dated 1695

There is a painting blog on this painting here

Le Cochonnet cafe, Maida Vale, London

I came across an Italian place behind Avalon flowers. I was intrigued as to why an Italian restaurant would have the French Name Le Cochonnet (The Piglet). I never did find out.

I painted it from a bench.

There is limited edtion print avialable of this painting.

St Paul’s Old Choir School in the City of London

Just across the road from St Paul’s and down the wee side street of Dean’s Court you will find Carter Lane and here you will discover the old St Paul’s Cathedral Choir School.

Although this structure was built in 1874 it is very much in keeping with the style of the Cathedral and has a distinct Italian Baroque feel about it.  You could easily imagine this building tucked away down a back street in Florence or Sienna.

There is a Painting Story on this piece.

Brick Lane Market, London

There has been a market on Brick Lane since the 17th Century and was then known as ‘The Truman Markets after the old brewery that used to be on situated at number 91.

There is a limitied edition print of this painting available

A painting of the Cutty Sark and other locations in Greenwich

I did this painting on a commission of the Cutty Sark and other interesting features in Greenwich including the Royal Greenwich Observatory. There are prints are available of Greenwich here.  

Shops on the Royal Hill in Greenwich, London

I drew this row of shops on the Royal Hill in Greenwich, London. There is a painting story on this

A view of St Ives, Cornwall from a nearby hill

A drawing of the view of St Ives, Cornwall from a nearby hill. This drawing is available to buy here.

The parish church in Pilton, Somerset

I did this drawing of the Church of St John the Baptist, Pilton. It is a lovely church, and it is in the village where I live.

A view of a sea rescue in Victorian England

I did this drawing as an idea for an etching. I wanted to capture the drama of a Cornish sea rescue in Victorian England. I never did the etching in the end, though I did enjoy doing the drawing.

Charcoal Drawing of The Lighthouse in Kings Cross, London

This wonderful building in Kings Cross, London was erected in 1875, and lovely too to see it has not been demolished as so many equally unique structures have in London. 

This building was also used as the location for Harry Palmer’s (Michael Caines) office in the 1967 film ‘Billion Dollar Brain’. That has to be worth the effort to draw it on its own. You can buy this drawing here.

Battersea Power Station, London

Battersea Power Station is a decommissioned coal-fired power station located on the south bank of the River Thames, in Battersea, an inner-city district of South West London. It comprises two individual power stations, built in two stages in the form of a single building.

Later made famous on the cover of the Pink Floyd album ‘Animals’.

A drawing of the waterfront in Greenwich, London

I love a bit of history, so I was thrilled to be asked to paint the Greenwich waterfront. Interestingly, my client did not want a contemporary view but how the area looked circa 1930.

There was much research to do and here are a few of my initial drawings for the project.

You can buy a limited edition print of the final painting here.

A drawing of Bacon Street Market, Spitalfields, London

Someone who has never visited Brick Lane Market before could be forgiven for thinking that ‘Brick Lane market’ was all there is.  You will discover, however, a few scattered other market gems huddled in the surrounding streets and one of these is Bacon Street market.

You can buy a limited edition print of the final painting here.

The Cockpit Tavern, London

The Cockpit Tavern is built on the site of Shakespeare’s house. As the name suggests, it was an arena for cockfighting and the gallery for spectators is still in place. Cock fighting was banned in 1849 and the pub has made a less bloodthirsty trade since by selling ales and such.

Old and new have been mixed here by more enlightened planners. They have built the surrounding office block in sympathy with the pub and make a rather elegant sweep down St Andrew’s Hill which I was keen to capture in my drawing.

There is an Painting Blog on this drawing.

The Book Art Book Shop, London

A drawing of The Book art book shop London’s only bookshop specialising in artists’ books and small press publications. Its small and perfectly formed. 17 Pitfield st, London N1 6HB.