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​Artists'Statement

During my Fine Art painting Degree Course at Birmingham Art College in the early 70s, the American Abstract Expressionists were my heroes with their bold cowboy approach to painting. Roy Able, one of my art lecturers, said, "You can't paint like a cowboy if you live in Birmingham."

This pithy remark stayed with me for years later, leading me to paint the cowboys instead. Creating a world based on the Western fictional genre popular on television and in comics in the 1950s to 60s, in which Mexicans were always portrayed as ‘baddies’, following visits to Mexico, I changed the narratives by painting Mexicans in the starring roles. Inspiration for the paintings comes from anywhere: films, the internet, photos, or even from other artists’ work.

The paintings are made in a quick, spontaneous, and instinctive way. My aim is always for the finished work to be fresh, direct, and playful.

 My Art training started with Pre Diploma course at  Rotherham College of Art 1967-69.  I then completed a Diploma in Art and Design 1970-73  followed Birmingham Post Graduate Diploma in Fine Art Painting Birmingham 1974.

I have spent my career teaching at schools and colleges.