After finishing an Art foundation course at Manchester’s Metropolitan University, I wanted to build a practise rooted in observational life drawing, painting from life and the progression of skill and craftsmanship. Oil painting became an obsession and took over my life.

In 2000 I began painting full time and after a few art shows I secured a place in Cow lane, a co-operative run Artists Studio in Salford where I had a small amount of success and received encouragement from a number of practising artists. My work began to take its direction from my local environment of Salford, an area I have strong family ties with and one that has been my home for the last 12 years. Since 2002 I have been documenting the decline of the industrial revolution in Salford and Manchester. My work has focused on the regeneration of areas of Salford ignored by many for the past 40 years. I have painted and photographed Mills and bridges, relics of the past now isolated in a time that has no use for them. I focused on the marks and messages of the local population left as graffiti and painted what I found. These paintings encompassed both traditional and more contemporary painting styles.

More recently I have been experimenting with non-art objects and elements of Sound Art and Film. This has greatly influenced my painting practise, experimenting with materials and the structured response of meaning and representation.  My practise is constantly evolving to communicate my ideas more effectively .

I continually work with members of the local community in a number of arts based projects, encouraging them to produce their own expression of the world around them.

I am currently artist in residence at LIME Art Manchester.

Education

2000 - HNC Sound Recording City college Manchester

1998 - 2000 Interactive broadcast Media 2 years Manchester Metropolitan University

1997 - Art Foundation Course Manchester Metropolitan University

Employment

Studio Manager Mentor - Pool Arts

Fine Art conservator Restorer - Bloomfieldart

Fine Art conservator Restor - Grove Galleries Manchester

Sessional Artist - Gorton Visual Arts