I studied Art Foundation at the district college which encouraged experimentation with an emphasis on ‘ideas’ rather than any specific guidance on teaching the skills needed to produce artwork, so I progressed through my own commitment to a wide variety of subjects such as urban landscape, still-life, life drawing and an interest in printmaking. I attempted oil painting for the first time with a series of monochromatic self-portraits influenced by the torn sweater photographs of James Dean.

I was accepted on an illustration diploma course where l flourished illustrating books such as The Grapes of Wrath and working to tight deadlines, an enjoyable challenge that tested my flexibility and imaginative skills, but I still preferred producing my own artwork.

I pursued my ambition on a degree illustration course with tutors that encouraged the sole study of painting. In terms of theory I researched Classicism in Contemporary Painting which also provided a basis for my own paintings, centred around portraiture and Greek Mythology. During this period in order to learn the techniques of oil painting I spent a great deal of time looking at paintings in public collections such as Leeds City Art Gallery, only then could I understand the physicality of the medium and what could be made possible through my own vision.

A few years later I gained my masters in Painting on the north coast at University College Scarborough where a resurgence of English Realism painting was taking place . After initially experimenting with painting ‘ portraits in situation ‘ I developed an approach of metaphysical concerns through the idea of time and memory, placing apparent objects of significance within suburban settings. During a study trip to New York I was able to fully realise these ideas in a series of other worldly cityscapes ( Exploration I-XII ) over a three year period in a studio l established back in my hometown of Castleford where I work today.