Biography

The award winning 'Muskoka Rocks II'

It is hard to write about myself - my history and art endeavours. It could be boring on the one hand, or boastful on the other. However, my webmaster says I must do this!

As a youth in London, England, I enjoyed art. I developed my skills by having private lessons with a local artist. My talent caught the eye of my high school art teacher, and led me to producing award-winning pictures. All in all, not a bad position for a youth who, many thought, would go to art college.

That did not happen. I joined the Royal Marine Commandos for a different challenge, and then started a career in advertising management. Sketching and painting remained a hobby while my career took me and my young family to Brussels, Belgium, Holland and, finally, to Canada in 1976.

Over the years, I attended numerous art courses with great teachers and produced works in the awe-inspiring area known locally as "cottage country." I found what I liked and developed my own style, which, along with some passion and a little confidence, enabled me to turn my hobby into a career in 1997. As a full-time artist, I initially created wildlife and scenic works in watercolour.

Since then, I have broadened my media to include acrylic and oil paints. And, my subject matter has expanded to include still life, floral and architectural. I have participated in a number of art shows, both co-op and solo, as well as shown in galleries. At the outset of my art career I created wildlife designs on canoe paddles. Since then, I have introduced computer printed designs on dragon boat racing paddles.

I also paint custom pictures that please those who commission them. I love what I do, and my solid realistic style has resulted in works going to buyers in North America, European countries, Australia and New Zealand.