I was born in County Durham and have always lived and worked in the North East of England. Prior to 1994 I worked as an electronic technician for Granada TV, gaining experience at both technician and management level. When I was made redundant in 1993 I decided to follow a life long interest and become a full time artist. I studied Fine Art at The University of Sunderland where I achieved a BA (Hons) and MA. Since then I have exhibited both regionally and nationally and now have work in private collections throughout the world.
As a painter I find the use of colour to be both an exciting and provocative means of expression and consider this to be the most important aspect of my work. As a starting point I use sketches and photographs of images from the local landscape, then develop them into a stylised graphic language and reinvent them through the use of flat primary colour.
During the past couple of years I have also become involved in the organization and co-ordination of both solo and group exhibitions and gained temporary employment as a support worker for the degree shows at the University of Sunderland. I have also acted as an invigilator for workshops at the Vardy Gallery, Sunderland and also at schools and community centres in County Durham.
My work is also exhibited in various galleries in the North East including The Biscuit Factory at Newcastle, The Art Café at Corbridge and Grants Contemporary Art, at Barnard Castle. At present I am chairman of East Durham Artists Network and serve on the committees of both Durham Visual Arts Forum and ASSIGN in Sunderland.