Clay has always been my favourite material, it is so flexible to work with. I prefer to work with a clay body called Crank, it has a coarse texture which works well with oxides, these are applied before the clay is fired.
The method of construction Is invariably by coiling, modelling and working the surface with textures is strongly allied to the drawing process which has always formed the base of my working approach. Often I take the same subject or theme and constantly rework it through drawing into Prints.
In recent years I have taken to reworking the Lino Blocks, treating them as sculptural reliefs by recutting and applying colour to the surface.
Biographical Details
Education: Prior to art school my education was very mixed, this was mainly due to the war, it ranged from a Welsh village, to Liverpool and then to a Catholic school in Nuneaton amongst others. Like many my education began when I entered Art School. It was here I came into contact with a series of remarkable teachers. Alan Rochford was undoubtedly the most influential. He gave all of us a breadth of experiences both in the school and out, with visits to galleries, the theatre, films, music, opera, and ballet added to this there was the rich programme of activity within the school under the direction of Edward Hellawell.
Nuneaton School of Art - Intermediate Art and Design, taught by Alan Rochford and Edward Hellawell:
Stage Set Designs for the production of Merrie England.
Designed and made a sculpture "The Family" which stood in Riversley Park, Nuneaton.
1954 & 1955 Drawing Prize.
Birmingham College of Art - National Diploma in Art and Design, taught by John Bridgmam
National Service - Royal Air Force
Teaching
St Gregory R.C. School Boys School, Liverpool. Art Assistant.
Bishop Milner R.C. Comprehensive School. Head of Art 1960 - 1978.
King Edward VI Sixth Form College, Stourbridge.
Head of Art, Design and Art History 1978 - 96. Appointed in 1978 to develop and broaden the subject base of Art and Design at A Level. To create an environment that perceived the Art Department as a credible option academically and as a real choice for Higher Education/Employment.
Other Teaching
1976-77-78. Invited to be the 3DD Tutor on the Dudley Metropolitan Arts Summer School.
Invited to be the Sculpture Tutor on the Teacher in Service Programme in Art and Design DMB.
Exhibitions 2007-08
2008. Galanthus Gallery, Wormbridge. Lino Prints (Gallery Artist).
2008. Telford Open Exhibition, Oakengates, Lino Prints.
2007. The Gallery Upstairs Christmas Show, Henley in Arden Lino Prints.
2007. Galanthus Gallery, Wormbridge. Sculpture in the Garden.
2007. Telford Open Exhibition, Oakengates, Lino Prints.
2007. Birmingham Open Exhibition, Birmingham Art Gallery
Work shown in France 2007-08
2007-08. Galerie de la Maison, Champagne Vigny. Sculptures and Prints.
2007-08. Joint exhibition with Jennifer Colquitt - August.
2007. Quatre Saisons, St Aulaye. Prints.
Exhibitions in the UK
2002. Keele University Open, Prints.
2003-04-05-06. Goldfish Bowl Gallery, Penzance, Sculptures and Prints.
2000-01-02-03-04. Open Exhibition Spout Farm, Telford. Prints including the series "The Seven Deadly Sins".
Exhibition of Lino Prints and original Pen and Ink Drawings
The series of drawings with Pen and Ink are my response to the landscape which surrounds our favourite place. The landscape in and around St Felix in the Charente region of France is constantly changing. During the times we have visited this area it has gone from very small fields to massive prairies. The only unchanged element are the woodlands - these retain exciting visual imagery to work with.
Drawing has always been a fundamental element of my work - this aspect of most Artists activities seems to go unrecognized.
