When I was asked to participate in this event, I immediately wanted to get involved. My dad was mis-diagnosed with MND for years before doctors correctly diagnosed him with MS. Despite not having MND, we lived with that belief for so long. In just five years from his first diagnosis, he passed away. It was incredibly tough witnessing this strong, powerful man succumb to the disease. Anything I can do to support those affected by neurological diseases would be a meaningful tribute to my dad and something I'm deeply passionate about helping with.
Born in Rochdale in 1969, I developed a passion for art as a young boy. During my late teens, I spent my free time sketching punks and designing album covers. It was this body of work that earned me a place at Cheltenham University, where I gained my fine art degree. In 2002, my much-loved studio burnt to the ground, and I lost everything. Unable to continue both practically and emotionally, I threw myself into teaching, believing that my art career was now just part of my past. In 2011, my family and I moved to Verona and, ironically, settled into an apartment directly above an art shop. Feeling inspired to pick up my brushes once again, I began to draw the stunning architecture. With my passion rekindled, we returned to England, where I built a studio in my garden. I haven't stopped drawing since.
Somewhere along my path I became engrossed in the need to convey movement, to create the illusion of life. I have to learn and understand the lines before I can make them work. Each time I pick up my tools, I am running out onto a tightrope – I can’t stop. There is no time to question myself or correct mistakes because I have to get the marks down with confidence. Every single line on each of my drawings is inspired by a living object, the result being that every line has the energy of a living thing. I want my works to tell their own story, for the viewer to read their energy.
Biography
When I was asked to participate in this event, I immediately wanted to get involved. My dad was mis-diagnosed with MND for years before doctors correctly diagnosed him with MS. Despite not having MND, we lived with that belief for so long. In just five years from his first diagnosis, he passed away. It was incredibly tough witnessing this strong, powerful man succumb to the disease. Anything I can do to support those affected by neurological diseases would be a meaningful tribute to my dad and something I'm deeply passionate about helping with.
Born in Rochdale in 1969, I developed a passion for art as a young boy. During my late teens, I spent my free time sketching punks and designing album covers. It was this body of work that earned me a place at Cheltenham University, where I gained my fine art degree. In 2002, my much-loved studio burnt to the ground, and I lost everything. Unable to continue both practically and emotionally, I threw myself into teaching, believing that my art career was now just part of my past. In 2011, my family and I moved to Verona and, ironically, settled into an apartment directly above an art shop. Feeling inspired to pick up my brushes once again, I began to draw the stunning architecture. With my passion rekindled, we returned to England, where I built a studio in my garden. I haven't stopped drawing since.
Somewhere along my path I became engrossed in the need to convey movement, to create the illusion of life. I have to learn and understand the lines before I can make them work. Each time I pick up my tools, I am running out onto a tightrope – I can’t stop. There is no time to question myself or correct mistakes because I have to get the marks down with confidence. Every single line on each of my drawings is inspired by a living object, the result being that every line has the energy of a living thing. I want my works to tell their own story, for the viewer to read their energy.
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