About

I am a painter. I know some very nice people who are ‘artists’ but I’m not one of them. I don’t have a ‘vision’ and I’m not ‘inspired’. I just sort of bumble about, trying stuff to see what happens. I mostly paint using acrylics, sometimes I make 3D stuff. I‘ve spent the best part of my working life as a commercial artist, another title I don’t like, which means I’ve had to produce stuff on time and of a suitable quality to satisfy the person with the pay cheque. It’s not a bad grounding…it removes bullshitters fairly quickly because sooner rather than later, you got to produce visible evidence. You have to walk the walk, no more talking about your ‘idea’ and your ‘concept’. Stuff your concept mate, where’s the bloody work I paid you for?

People often say it must be lovely to paint pictures for a living, so relaxing and satisfying. It’s not. I hate paint; it will not do what I want it to, it’s a constant struggle, me against the pigment. It is not a hobby and I don’t do it to relax. If I want to relax I slump on the sofa in front of the telly and watch an old black and white war film….heaven.

My work is not special or unique, it’s unexceptional, workmanlike and I am usually disappointed with the finished article. I haven’t got any thing profound to say, I’m not trying to elevate ‘art’ above its station as I believe all art, especially visual art is essentially trivial and has no more worth than a comic book. In fact I can think of plenty of comics that have more depth and competence than a lot of what passes for ‘important’ art.

I’ve worked on films (Memphis Belle, Weatherby, Harry Potter to name a few) too many building sites to mention, pubs and nightclubs, even a few churches. Up scaffolding and in the rain, in the dark, freezing cold and blistering heat. Always to a tight schedule. Most of my stuff has been large scale mural work. I’ve worked in Germany, Russia, Ireland, France and all over this island of ours. Nowadays I’ve slowed down and don’t travel too far from home if I can help it.

Lately I’ve found myself working with youngsters. Again, I didn’t plan this, just sort of bumbled into it. I’m teaching myself to use spray paints ‘cos that’s what gets their attention…and they aren’t fooled as easily as adults…they can see through a faker straight away. Working with these kids, most of whom have very little, is very satisfying and puts messing about with ‘art’ firmly in it’s place. The former deals with real people with real problems, the later deals with self important fools with fragile ego’s…