I hope that I manage to capture the dignity and pride of the mill, mine & factory workers who all too often lived and worked in such harsh environments, but I also would like to think that could they see my work, it would have made them smile.
I try to portray the funnier side of life and I’m sure many would agree that ‘real life’ can be many times more amusing than fiction!
My observations of animals enables me to draw upon a situation and turn into something quite quirky. Sheep, pigs, cats & birds all lend themselves perfectly, as does the dog ……. ! As I know from experience, the dog is not always the brightest of sparks on the planet and often their antics can beggar belief! In view of my work, I hope that the next time that someone sees a dog or a sheep – that they will never see them in the same light again!
Most of my work evolves constantly … often at a rate that I physically have a problem trying to keep up with. All too often my wife has to remind me to eat and sleep even then I have to fight the urge to sneak out of bed to scribble down a fresh idea!
One of my main influences as a child has to be Rolf Harris. I used to watch his shows on TV and never ceased to be amazed at the way he seemed to throw paint at a wall and scrub it with a yard brush then hey presto! ‘a work of art’ would appear before my very eyes … wonderful!!
I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Rolf wasn’t at least partially responsible for many a 40yr old being an artist today! – Cheers Rolf!
In my honest opinion – we artists are, and will be ‘forever children’, we have never grown out of wanting to paint and make things! Fortunately for some of us – we actually get paid to do it!
