You could say my interest in art started like most people as a child messing with colours and paints. My family were working class, and my education was standard secondary modern. My schools were, Townsend Primary and Malthouse Rd Secondary Modern in Bucknall Stoke-on-Trent.
A secondary modern education for school kids in the Mid 1950's meant that if you failed your 11 plus examination you were regarded as being one of the thick underclass.
In my next school a subject like art was something you did for self interest, with little if any formal training. Emphasis was on the three R’s, Woodwork, Physical Education, History and Religious Instruction, you were basically educated to a sufficient standard to be fodder for the pit.

A neighbour's kid who went Hanley High school (now called, Mitchell Memorial High School, Bucknall) having passed his 11 plus was more fortunate.
Here art was recognised as a skilled subject with prospects. He delighted in showing me his works of art, and of boasting on how he was going to be a professional artist. I wished him luck and hoped that he made something from the opportunity open to him.

When I could I would use what little pocket money I had in a wonderful store in Hanley, Stoke on Trent called Webberley's. Here they sold all sorts of art materials you know the type of place, old oak panelled walls, dusty old gent with half rimmed glasses, goods everywhere with at times no semblance of order. The shop is still there today having supplied art materials in Percy street for over 90 years.


Webberley's today

I used colour pencils and watercolour as the medium, mainly as it cost very little. I did progress in ability to a point were on a visit from a relative (Margaret Bourne my first cousin who happened to work as a school teacher in Wolverhampton) was so taken by some my paintings of wild birds that she took them back with her to display in her school. I unfortunately then lost contact with her.

The last drawing that I can remember doing was of a pair of hands in prayer style with light emanating from the palms. (A copy of something that I had seen in a book) My mother was so taken by it she kept it on her bedside table.

Life, teenage years and eventually the forces then intervened and art went out the window with all my other boyhood pastimes. So it wasn’t until Christmas 2006 at the ripe old age of 58 years that the old urge came back.

My interest was rekindled by my grandson, (then aged three) who through his mother purchased me an oil art set consisting of a table top easel, a book, some Windsor Newton oil paints and brushes.

Now aged 60 I have progressed to not only filling my time as an artist but have also started to write.
Retirement can be a wonderful time of life if you have an active mind. I have progressed to writing several short stories some children’s stories which you will find on this site.

I have even done some poems, my first novel "The Valley of the Doves" of which the first four chapters you will also find on this site.
Enjoy the paintings, each one I complete will be displayed, and I hope you will enjoy the sample of my Novel; your comments will always be welcomed.