I did not start in art in the normal way having decided back in school that I perhaps had some ability but not a special talent. Instead becoming a hairdresser. Hairdressing for many years was not just what I did but who I was. When I first picked up a paint brush after nearly 45 years it felt good, in fact very good !

Working with hair helped to develope a feel for style, colour, form and aesthetics so I felt sure I could, and would be able to paint well. So what could possibly go wrong?  With a lot of work, dedication and more than just a touch of obsession it has gone pretty well to date.

My whole life has centered around the former mining and steel town of Rotherham, South Yorkshire. I live with my Sussex girl Jayne who I married in 2011, in the rural village of Ravenfield surrounded by woodland which borders the old Silverwood mine. Every day the scars of industry heal a little more, we feel lucky to live here and so I have to paint these landscapes, where Nature has or is gaining  the upper hand. My children are now adults making us now grandparents, to son Joe's Izzy with 2 more girls Clemantine and Camilla born early to daughter Lucy on the 23rd of December 20. The landscapes are built from earth, water, air, weather, shadow and light. combined with strokes, marks, glazes, scratches and scrapes of in a wide array of fine art materials, hopefully representative and recognizable but not constrained by precise detail. When all comes together there is a sense of space and place in a moment in time.

"Thank you"

I value hugely the support and warm friendships I have made with the many people I know through art, that have shown interest through exhibitions, social media, buying the art or visiting this site . Most of all Jayne for her help and encouragement. Forever grateful to Pete Gilbert, New Forest artist and friend, for believing that I have the talent to improve, giving good advice and criticism when I need it most.

Paul