I recognised my own artistic talents in my teens. I loved copying the brilliant artwork and design in 1970’s LP album covers, and giving or selling them to my friends!
I did extracurricular “O” level art and did so well that I completed my “A” level the following year prior to my science subjects subsequently. I had already decided that I wanted to be a doctor and obtained a place at the prestigious medical school at Trinity College, Dublin. My anatomy diagrams were often borrowed by other students to copy!
I was good with my hands and initially trained as a vascular surgeon, but later used my acquired skills in further training as an interventional radiologist. I was appointed as a consultant in Edinburgh in 1994. This expertise requires delicate manual dexterity and excellent 3-D spatial awareness. My main role involved image-guided blood vessel angioplasty and stenting. I also established my own private medical facility, the Scottish Vein Centre in Edinburgh in 2006. I retired from my NHS commitments in 2016 but remained in private practice until my full retirement in 2024. To show my appreciation to the three brilliantly loyal nurses who continue to this day in the SVC practice I gave each of them paintings of different views enjoyed from the locality of our clinic in the Dean Village in Edinburgh.
From 2016 I found I had more spare time to apply myself to my interest of drawing and painting. My daughter and son both married their partners in the summer of 2017 and as wedding presents to both couples I painted their double portraits. This was a real pleasure for me and the joy I got and gave stimulated me to keep going with more quality paintings. I followed up wedding presents with an anniversary gift for my son and daughter in law of their venue, Glasgow University.
I then took a basic set of watercolours on my summer vacation to western Crete, where we had been travelling to for many years. The landscapes were of a sufficient standard to decorate our home and to give to family and friends. I continued to paint and give away my artwork. The pleasure of giving still has not left me!
I then mixed up my work somewhat when I painted three portraits of the family pet dachshund, Daisy.
I went on to do further doggie portraits as Christmas presents for friends. This has been an occasional recurring habit but I must emphasise that I do not intend to offer dog art commissions in the future.
I have never claimed to be self-taught but have tapped back into my inherent artistic talent and painterly skills. The big opportunity occurred in mid 2021 when I enrolled in my first painting classes at the Edinburgh Drawing School. I specifically wanted to bring my skills in landscape watercolour painting to a higher level. I thought I would try the three term course in Fluid Acrylic landscape painting with tutor David Forster, RSW. Well it was the right choice for my style of painting. I went on to produce exhibition standard pieces (in his opinion) I have continued my attendance with David’s classes in watercolour painting up to the present in 2025 with on-line sessions.
In celebration of my self-reliance and improved culinary skills, when I cooked my first ever curry from all the basic ingredients, I produced my first ever fully completed still life oil on canvas, just for the experience and for fun!
I have also taken advantage of the artistic guidance at other watercolour classes with royal artist James Potter and expressive painting with artist and tutor Siri France.
As a departure from my usual landscape subjects, I decided to enrol in life drawing classes under the guidance of ex- Edinburgh College of Art lecturer Graham Fleck.
My knowledge of human anatomy gave me a distinct advantage. These additional courses and tutored sessions have definitely freed up my approach to “making marks on paper “ and given me a looser approach to my landscape painting.
I am passionate about getting out into the environment I want to capture. Copying photographs has distinct limitations, although the Scottish weather did limit the amount of en plain air painting I got to do. I did have an inspiring art trip to the Antrim coast in Northern Ireland and a wonderful week travelling and photographing the southern sights of Iceland for more inspiration.
I learnt on the Antrim trip how not to travel with too much art equipment. I took this experience with me to Skye in the spring of 2023 but the weather again proved too inclement.
I used public transport when and where I could on both trips.
Later that year I ventured to Egypt to see the pyramids and take a five day Nile river cruise. This was a paradise for plein air painting and I have been proud to show off my artwork from my sketchbook on my Instagram account.
I joined the Holyrood Art Club in Edinburgh in 2022. This long established local club has artists of all standards. This was well exemplified in the Annual Club Art Show held at Greyfriars Church in Edinburgh in May 2023. I submitted eight landscape paintings to the Show and to my delight two of my artworks were chosen by the public as favourite and second favourite pieces.
The favourite was also sold to a lovely French couple. This endorsement has further encouraged me to continue painting high quality exhibition standard landscape paintings. I now wish to have a wider audience enjoy my work.
In summer 2024 I fully retired from my private practice and made the decision to relocate to Thornbury near Bristol to be close to my two beautiful grandchildren. This has been the best decision and has given me the opportunity to dedicate more of my time to drawing and painting and to pursue my environmental interests. I have also now had the chance to take up my interest in beekeeping by joining the South Gloucestershire Beekeepers Association.
In addition to these interests I have also been lucky to have been allocated an allotment at the Daggs grounds in Thornbury.
I will take every opportunity to be active outside with my bees, vegetables or canvases!
On arrival in Thornbury I joined the Thornbury Art Club, now enjoying it’s 60th anniversary. It was a great way to meet like minded artists, who also showed their prowess at Thornbury Summer Art Show in July 2025. I exhibited four framed landscapes and eight unframed watercolours.
The whole experience was very enjoyable and informative. In preparation for the Show, I decided to put all of my (remaining) back work on-line using my Instagram account which is seeing an almost daily increase in followers.
I have now reached a stage in my artistic output to really make an effort to put my work forward for increased availability to the public. I wish to go from random purchases by friends and followers to an accessible platform. I therefore hope that my website can offer you an opportunity to own my original artwork and limited edition high quality giclee prints at very reasonable prices.