If you are already familiar with my work, it may surprise you to learn that I was born in a terraced house on a grey city street, and spent my earliest years there. Happily, our little family, including our two cats, moved to a leafy village in the Yorkshire countryside when I was four.

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Our new home backed onto seemingly endless fields, dotted with woodland, which became the setting for many childhood adventures with my brother and friends. I was fascinated by the wildlife I encountered there, and which often ventured into our garden.  These creatures sometimes found their way indoors, as we would bring injured birds and animals home for our mother to nurse back to health. My fascination with these animals inspired many of my childhood drawings.

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As a young lad, I realised that I had a gift that few of my classmates shared. Unfortunately, my school did not support my dreams, and a career as an artist was dismissed as 'unrealistic'. For a while, I believed that my gift had no place or purpose and became a lost, unmotivated teen. The future unfolding before me looked dull and uninspiring.

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I was 23 when I flew the nest and allowed myself to give painting another chance. My dreams reignited when I saw the impact of my work on the first few people I shared it with.