Ian was born in Watford in 1958 and his painting career started with the Hertfordshire College of Art and Design followed by a degree in Fine Art at the Chelsea School of Art (1977-80).  Ian then followed this with a Higher Diploma in Fine Art at The Slade School of Fine Art (1980-82).

Ian’s career in painting has been dominated by his teaching from 1986-2015.  He has taught for twenty years (1995-2015) at the University of Hertfordshire.  In 2007 he was a visiting lecturer in painting at the Canterbury Christ Church University.

Since retiring from teaching in 2015 Ian has devoted his time entirely to painting.

“At art school I worked in the figurative studios painting directly from the model.  My main influences have been: Craigie Aitchison, Euan Uglow, Norman Norris and Myles Murphy.  Since leaving art school I have continued to paint from observation and spend my time with trying to resolve the problem of realising a shape on a flat surface.  I try to paint from subject matter that suggests and aspect of mood to me.”