I was born in the English Lake District, a place of mist, lakes, mountains, Druidic Groves and rain; lots of rain. To this day I don't enjoy sunny days.
In the 60's my parents moved to London for better work opportunities. Both were artists, but it was some time before I too, succumbed to what my Father described as the contagious disease of life.
Below - Childhood in 1950's. The English Lake District. Windermere.
My Father became a scenic artist at the BBC before going freelance mainly at Shepperton Studios and then an Art Director. Once he was arrested as a suspected communist spy for sketching a police box for the Tardis in the debut of Doctor Who.
Meanwhile, I started my first career as a scientist in the Meteorological Office.
During the 1970's, Shepperton saw the emergence of a new wave of directors like Ridley and Tony Scott, Hugh Hudson, Lester Bookbinder and Howard Guard. Shepperton was also home for commercials like Cadbury's Smash Martians, P G Tips Chimpanzees, Henekin, Frys Turkish Delight, along with films like Alien and Flash Gordon. The Who leased the Old House and stored their road gear in "I" Stage. They also frequented Shepperton Recording Studios, along with the likes of The Who, Moody Blues and Genesis. In hindsight, it was an incredibly exciting time with every commercial trying to break new ground and create trends. These days we seem to follow them.
Not sure who this is. Turned up one day for a music promo and didn't want a set, just a white cyc.
Some weekends I went to the studios helping out, drawn also to the music from the recording studios. It all changed when the director invited me to a Friday barbeque. I was struck seeing everyone valued and driven to create the best. On Monday I resigned and started my new job starting sweeping stage floors "the Shepperton Shuffle". In hindsight, it was the halcyon days, high-paced, with hugely talented experienced people with singular visions. There was a lot to learn but much, much later I learned it's not the idea, but fidelity to the idea that matters.
Below: Fry's Turkish Delight. Director: Howard Guard. "A" Stage Shepperton Studios.
Actress - Vivienne Lynn. Actor - Graham Rodgers. Sidewinder snake, Bob
Ten-day build, One-day prelight, Two-day shoot, One-day strike.
The Wall by Pink Floyd directed by Alan Parker.
In 1990 I came to New Zealand with my then New Zealand wife and young child. I continued in film and theater, one of my many highlights was designing a series of successful operas for the renowned German opera director Bernd Benthaak
I've been sailing since 11 when my father built a small Mermaid dinghy sailing on the South Coast and a myriad of ponds, rivers and estuaries which make sailing such a wonderful experience (and sometimes exasperation) For me, the sea is a fundamental inspiration. just as competing or adventures. Sailing is also transnational and international competition is worth the effort since striving for difficult goals and learning from failure is key to our development since most of our learning is through experiences, not in the lecture hall.
Later, advances in digital cameras along with lower entry costs opened up new opportunities so I moved into photography and video.
My first video, which instigated the beginning of many adventures
My most recent video filmed in Stewart BC 2024
In September 2023 I attended a masterclass by Sir Grahman Sydney, one of New Zealand's foremost living artists. We had to submit a few works either finished or unfinished, I only just managed to complete one the day before and had severe doubts showing it. Going straight to the finished work, his brief comment set me on a new path, overnight art now got serious with much to do.