The Spark, the Intermission, and the Bet
Growing up in the beautiful landscapes of Perthshire, Scotland, I was that child who was never without a pencil or crayon in hand. Art was my first love, nurtured by an incredible art teacher at St. Columba’s in Perth who taught me the foundations of the craft.
While I dreamed of art school, life had other plans. Coming from a working-class family in the mid-1980s, full-time college wasn't a realistic option. Instead, my professional journey took me down different paths: first managing bustling bars and nightclubs, and later transitioning into customer service, project management, and IT business design for an energy company.
For decades, the brushes sat idle. Then, over a decade ago, a night out changed everything.
After a bit of friendly boasting about my old drawing skills, my friends called my bluff and challenged me to prove it. The very next day, I walked into a local art store, bought some basic supplies, and took the dare. I was hooked instantly. I haven’t looked back since.
From Scotland to the South Coast
Today, I call the vibrant coastal community of Southsea in Portsmouth my home. The unique energy of the UK's south coast, paired with its rich maritime light, provides endless inspiration right outside my studio door. Since moving here, I have become an active part of the thriving local art scene, connecting with fellow creatives and showcasing my work. Immersion in this community is incredibly important to me, and I am constantly looking for new ways to collaborate, grow, and expand my roots within the local creative network.
Crafting the Style
For the past ten years, I have dedicated myself to the intense, rewarding practice of oil painting, balancing my creative obsession with a full-time career. I chose a non-traditional path to mastery—honing my skills through collaborations with local artists, dissecting art history books, and absorbing modern techniques online. This blend of traditional discipline and contemporary learning helped me forge a style that is uniquely my own.
To me, artistic honesty is everything. I believe that true quality starts from the very foundation of a piece, which is why I work predominantly on fine linen using professional-grade, handmade Michael Harding oil paints. The depth, texture, and brilliance of these materials allow me to infuse genuine emotion and lasting beauty into every canvas.
The Next Chapter
Today, my studio is a haven where creativity flourishes. I have recently transitioned away from the corporate world, reducing my hours to dedicate my time to what truly matters: painting and sharing my art with the world.
Whether I am capturing the soul of a subject in a portrait, the character of a beloved pet, or the sweeping mood of a landscape, I paint for the art lovers who want to bring original, evocative beauty into their spaces.