Watercolour Demonstration In September I was asked to do a watercolour demonstration for a local art group. They wanted me to show them how to do a cityscape. I started on two paintings, one of which I’d painted before. It was of my favourite view of Durham, taken from Wharton Park near the train station. … Read more
To get men to produce art in prison can be challenging. Since June this year I have been teaching art in one of the regions prisons for the charity Junction 42. The Head of Education asked if I would run a project on one of the House Blocks. She wanted the prisoners to produce art … Read more
San Gimignano I often paint watercolours as a Handmade Card for family members or for very special friends. There are some occasions when I do get commissioned to paint a scene as a special card. In September, a close friend was celebrating his 50th birthday. I knew straight away the subject he would connect with. … Read more
City Church Portraits It’s a real privilege to paint a Portrait of a Friend. In 2014 I painted a series of portraits of City Church members. These were to hang in the atrium of the CastleGate. One of the portraits was of a gentleman called Leon Le Dune. He sadly passed away earlier this month. … Read more
Northern Counties Club The Derelict featured in a watercolour demonstration and talk about Junction 42 at the Northern Counties Club. The event was titled “Art in Prisons”. I shared many of my experiences working with ex-offenders. I also spoke about those who are serving custodial sentences in prison. One of the paintings that I started … Read more
White Sand and Turquoise Sea Our trip to Ullapool earlier in June was such a blessing. Before the trip, we had prayed for good weather so that we could visit and paint some of the incredible beaches with white sands and turquoise sea. As you can see from the photograph of Clachtoll Beach, our prayers … Read more
West Coast of Scotland We’ve recently come back from several glorious days in the West Coast of Scotland. I’ve always said that if Scotland had the weather, it would be overrun with tourists. Fortunately we had 5 fantastic days of sunshine with little cloud. We arrived in Ullapool at teatime on the Saturday. We were … Read more
Job Coach As you many of you will know I have been working as an artist since 1984. However, since March 2018, I have been working as a Job Coach Helping Ex-Offenders find employment. This has been on a part time basis with the charity Junction 42 in Newcastle. Junction 42 delivers faith and creative … Read more
Blyth Beach On New Years Eve I received a telephone call from a new client in Canada. They wanted to Commission a Painting of various family members, including themselves on Blyth Beach in Northumberland. Although the client had photographs of the family on the beach, the composition of the figures wasn’t suitable for a … Read more
Painting in Norfolk In September 2009 my wife and I went to Norfolk with our daughter and her two children to Norfolk for the week. Although it was a family holiday, I turned it into a painting trip. Every morning I would get up early before everyone woke up and I would go off painting. … Read more