The Story
From a barman to working with some of the biggest names and events in the industry. My life is my art; I live and breathe these paintings, obsessed with the pursuit of perfection.
Foundations
I never imagined I’d be here. My journey as an artist began as a barman, heading toward a career I wasn’t sure I wanted. There’s always a catalyst in these stories, and mine came when I was made redundant from a pub takeover. It was during this time that I picked up a pencil again, looking for a way to make some quick money. I drew a Supermarine Spitfire and sold it on Facebook Marketplace for £50.
I’d always had a skill with a pencil. Growing up, I loved creating stories with my drawings, featuring film subjects, superheroes, and designing new cars. That interest never left. In school, my books were always filled with intricate drawings. Every page of work I completed had a doodled margin. I’d even trade my covered history folder at the end of the year for something useful, like pens or snacks.
Becoming an artist, however, was never a career I thought possible. The latter years of education put constraints on my work through the curriculum, and I slowly distanced myself from it. It’s strange how everything changed.
You don’t become an artist overnight, and I certainly didn’t. People don’t see the thousands of hours behind the brush, or the years spent learning how to navigate the art world. It was a difficult path, including years of heavy debt while I chased my dream. I kept asking myself: would I rather paint and be poor, or work another job and not paint at all?
Chasing the moment
Formula 1 is a huge part of my life. I discovered a real passion for the sport in my late teens. Before that, much of my work focused on pet portraits and wildlife, exploring endangered species and those affected by deforestation or climate change. It was an exciting period, and many collectors still have pieces from this early chapter of my career.
Painting Formula 1 and motorsport gave me a deeper connection to my childhood passions. It was an emotional tie to the subjects I had long loved to draw. My first breakthrough came with a pit stop painting of Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. It didn’t have the hallmarks of my current work, but I discovered a love of the challenge, from helmet reflections to the texture of the pit crew’s clothing. The diversity of subject matter was unlike anything I had painted before, and from that point, my work evolved, piece by piece, in the pursuit of perfection.
One of my leaps of faith came in 2024, when I took on the challenge of live painting at the Goodwood Festival of Speed over four days. I knew I had the skills to complete the piece, but never before in such an environment, with constant crowds of people. It was rewarding to see people experience the process and appreciate the detail and complexity behind the work. My wife and I were even invited into the Ferrari garage by the team to see the Formula 1 cars up close, a rare privilege.
Since then, my work has opened incredible opportunities. I’ve collaborated with some of the biggest brands in motorsport, including McLaren and Aston Martin. Most recently being flown to Dubai for a special McLaren event, for the creation a one-of-a-kind painting of Lando Norris to celebrate his 2025 World Championship win, I did so with a gold background to reflect the significance of the moment.
It’s not just Formula 1. I’ve also worked with Sail GP at the Portsmouth Grand Prix, painting the Emirates GBR race team, and on another occasion have Carl Fogarty sign a unique painting for a V.I.P Ducati event. I’m honoured to work with these people and brands, and I’m always excited to see what the next challenge will bring.
Through my eyes
In my studio, every painting begins as a sketch. I focus on moments or details that draw emotion and excitement. My process is messy, I race through sketchpads, filling pages with ideas and roughly noting changes or compositions. Once I’ve settled on a concept, I refine it in further detail.
The most thrilling part of a painting is the start. I find great passion in the conceptual stage; it’s a playground for my creative mind. One of my most recent pieces was “Fernando Alonso: The Wild West”. The concept featured Fernando in Aston’s special Texas livery, tearing across a western-inspired desert with three cowboy horsemen in pursuit, just like in the films. I loved creating something unique to the location of the race, and it’s a concept I’ll surely revisit.
A hallmark of my work is creating an abstract world. I’m not aiming for photorealism; I want the painting to be felt. Bold colours can transform a room, while sweeping shapes carve the image and add depth, flowing with the subject and guiding the viewer across the canvas. It’s all in the journey of the experience.
Bringing these ideas to life is always a thrill, translating motion, colour, and energy onto the canvas. Seeing a finished piece that started as a simple sketch is what keeps me coming back to the studio. Watching collectors and fans notice the details and energy that make each painting unique is incredibly rewarding. That connection is what gives the work its life.
Contact
For commissions, collaborations, or just to say hello, please do get in touch.