Ever since early childhood I enjoyed painting and drawing; I had some success at school, but after taking up oil painting at 15 I realised that this was more than a hobby - indeed my school friends actually started to buy my work. I started copying old masters almost immediately. One of my first paintings was stolen, which I suppose is quite flattering.
I also studied the history of European painting as part of 'A' level Art, and became completely immersed in the subject.
At about 19 I became frustrated with oil painting because the materials I was using were very basic and I had no idea of technique. I felt as if I had hit a brick wall.
Never thinking to make a career in painting, I took up the law and gained a degree; by 1977, however, I was back in fine art and had two jobs working for print sellers, all the while painting copies and my own work.
I then started to buy and sell British 19th century pictures - buying in the north of England at auction (where my parents lived) and selling in London (where I lived).
Although this was fairly successful, time and again I was told that the paintings would need the attention of restorers.
Quite by chance in 1981 I saw an advert for a 2 year intensive course for the restoration of easel paintings in Sussex and swiftly departed London.
The course was very practical - scientific theory was kept to a minimum, and an integral part of the course was copying old masters.
I acquired many books on the subject ,and with the guidance of Hastings Art College and a venerable tutor, became proficient in drawing and oil painting technique.
At the age of 29 I was finally on my way.
By 1990 I was exhibiting copies at a prestigious gallery in Dover St, London, with Susy Ray, then one of Britain’s foremost copyists. She specialised in the Impressionists; I copied, amongst others, Rembrandt, de Heem and George Stubbs.
I have seen two major exhibitions of Stubbs' work in recent years, and probably possess most of the literature about his life and work. I have copied much of his work, unfortunately not from the originals.
Stubbs kindled my interest in British Sporting Art and in recent years I have been commissioned to copy originals by Herring Snr, Ferneley Snr and John Boultbee. The estate of Sir Alfred Munnings gave me permission to copy one of his.
Recent commissions include Sir Henry Raeburn, George Romney and Albert Anker.
I moved to a Methodist Chapel near Ludlow in 1991 which also makes a perfect studio.
I still restore oil paintings and do my own work, having had a few local exhibitions and have been accepted at the Royal Academy, the Royal Cambrian Academy and Hereford Museum. I have done a lot of restoration work for Hereford Cathedral and the Hereford Herd Book Society.