If you have any queries about my work, please contact me via the email address shown at the bottom of this page.  If you do not hear from me within 48 hours, something may have gone wrong...so please use Facebook or Instagram messaging.

I studied English and Art at Roehampton Institute in London.  After a period working in the public sector, I gained the opportunity to spend more time painting and was based for a number of years at Wimbledon Art Studios.  

I draw and paint a variety of subjects but common to all is that "I was there".  Direct observation is an essential starting point for my work, whether or not the picture is completed on location.  Well known sights and classic themes are sometimes given a contemporary twist - in an urban scene, maybe not going for the set-piece view or including something that will not be there for long. For me, a town or city is about passers-by as well as static buildings and other structures.  I like the complexities and contrasts found in such scenes and sometimes a story comes out of what I see. 

I try to include some quick sketches of various subjects on my website.  Whatever the situation and medium, my style is fairly loose and this can help with capturing movement and simplifying a scene.  One way I would like you, the viewer, to engage with my work is by "filling in the gaps".

I am a member of Chelsea Art Society - www.chelseaartsociety.org.uk and the Drawing London Group - www.drawinglondon.org.uk

Exhibitions and other events include:  

Singer and Friedlander / Sunday Times Watercolour Competition 1995

Federation of British Artists Friends' Painting Day and Exhibition 2001 (awarded the Friends' Prize and a Green & Stone award of art materials for a watercolour of St. James's Park)
Images of Venice, Mall Galleries 2004

Art at Work - group shows organised by Guildford Arts Society - 2010 and 2015

Chelsea Art Society exhibitions from 2012 (Watercolour prize 2019) including 'Chelsea Unlocked' exhibition for members 2020 

Picture the Heath, Hampstead Festival 2013 (prizewinner), 2015 and 2019 (joint 2nd prize)

Pintar Rapido 2013 - 2015, 2017 and 2019

Cafe Gallery Open, Southwark Park 2013

Art 50 group show, Fulham 2014

Sunday Times Watercolour Competition 2013 (Smith and Williamson Cityscape Prize) and 2014

Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours 2014, 2017 and 2018

Paint Out Norwich 2015, 2016 (2nd prize, watercolour category), 2017 (1st prize, watercolour category) and 2018; Paint Out Norfolk 2020

Paint Out Wells-next-the-Sea 2016 and 2017

Paint Outs at Cambridge (acrylic category prizewinner) and Holt 2019, 

Buxton Spa Prize 2016, 2017 (3rd prize), 2018 (1st prize) and 2019

Discerning Eye 2017

ROI Paint Live 2016 (1st prize), 2017 and 2019

Create Longridge Art Event 2019 - 1st prize

Windsor & Eton En Plein Air 2016 and 2017 (1st prize, picture in the Royal Collection)

Spirit of the Stour plein air event, Dedham  2017 and 2018 (overall prize-winner)

RWS Contemporary Watercolour Competition 2017

ROI Annual Exhibition, Mall Galleries 2020

Publications

US magazines 'Watercolor Artist' and 'Pastel Journal' - August and October 2015

Email: awillbeintouch@aol.com