The Artist

I have always been fascinated by color; how the slightest change of shade could give a completely different result [is it a cold blue, or a warm blue?] And as I have progressed through my personal art journey, I have become even more fascinated by shadows and light. 

If a scene or character moves me I take photos; it usually would be how the shading or intensity of color speaks to me, mixed with the light, it hits me. And if I can recreate the stir inside that I felt when I first saw the subject, and experience the same feeling again when I have finished a piece of work, I feel the rush through my soul.

For me, art is about capturing emotions and feelings and the gift is when others can see it too.

I understand now that life doesn’t go in a straight line, it really is a journey…….one very long day; with a few naps punctuating the time.

Born in Stamford Hill, London but raised in Essex, I was the only child to religious Jewish parents. Although I had no brothers or sisters, I had fifteen cousins, of which I was the 4th youngest. It was a very loving and supportive family.

As a child my mum fascinated me with her sketches of three-quarter faces with hats on; they were so beautiful and elegant. She had great patience when using her hands; often knitting or creating crochet work. 

I wasn't a dedicated student preferring to muck around and be the clown, and quite often found myself standing in the corridor outside of the classroom. One day, having been awarded the worst school report possible, my dad sat me down and told me that if I didn't buck my ideas up, I would have to go to work on the building site when I left school. That was the awakening; although I had no plan; I knew that I would not survive the low temperatures of winter. I immediately started applying myself and achieved all the qualifications that I needed.

At the age of 18 I went off to Manchester University to follow a sensible academic path and study Pharmacy. My father came from a generation that would not have considered pursuing an art career a “proper job’, so although it was never discussed, I knew that attending Art College was not an option; He was of the opinion that a profession like accountancy or in the medical field would always be needed.

Several years after finishing University, I signed up for a term at an adult education art class at Abbs Cross Tech, my old school, and I sat in the same classroom that I was chucked out of so many years ago. The art teacher handed me a picture of a river scene in London. I asked him how I could achieve such a result. He said two things that made incredible sense; “Paint what you see”. But above all, remember it is your piece of work and it is finished when you say so. That did it for me, the penny dropped and my first work in oil in 1981 is still my favourite painting. Sometimes I revisit my work; if I feel it was not finished at the time.

Even with my “sensible” career, I was always a different from everyone. I Always needed to do things my way, legally, but pushing on the barrier to help folks. Despite constantly being referred to as “Quirky” I managed to build up a small chain of community pharmacies, and a rental property business. But in 2015, after being in business for 40 years, I decided I’d had enough of the system, and sold out. Time to move on. And so began the next chapter in my life, filled with more leisure time and the things that were important to me; Family, Tennis and Art.

It was in 2020, during “lockdown” that I took up my brushes seriously, determined to create something that I could be proud of. I would lose myself for hours every day in a piece of work, my brush strokes loosened and experimenting with colour and mixes. After a year of painting, I had created over 100 pieces of art. With no formal training, I look back at the paintings and can see my personal art journey as a natural progression with style, color and texture. It also became obvious that the one subject that I am constantly drawn to is women.

Not being a man's man, down the pub drinking kind of guy, having always preferred the company of women, I realised that I had spent my whole life with, around, or working with women. A wonderful, interesting, inspiring woman is truly the most amazing thing on this earth. I see their beauty not just on the outside but also on the inside and I see their strength and courage. Every woman has unique and amazing qualities.

I have been blessed to have had the most amazing women in my life; colleagues, girlfriends, wives, daughters, step daughters and even daughter in laws. But it is my gorgeous wife who is truly my inspiration, support and my total fan club. She has encouraged me to adhere with my personal journey, to progress, grow and ultimately find my style. She is also my critic. And that is tough.

Once dubbed “The Peter Pan of Pharmacy”, I hope that I can take that into the wonderful world of art and stay quirky, cheeky and youthful for many more years to come........

...............and so the journey continues.