Creating any visual art begins with looking; I have always been excited by the world around me and, since childhood, I have expressed my excitement through drawing. I continued the drawing experience throughout my life -and still do as a full time ceramic artist. I used to do a lot of analytical drawing, especially of the human form and it is has always been a satisfying activity for me.

I did a very traditional foundation course in Burnley, Lancashire, near my home town, and I am always grateful for the true "foundation" that I gained there.

I went on to take a degree course at Cardiff, where I was able to make ceramics in a non- traditional way; even painting my sculptures with acrylic paints. I also painted canvases at this time. My approach to ceramics has always been that of someone with a distinct "fine art" background, and I think that this is still evident in the pieces I make today.

After a teaching course in London, I did teach in further education for a short time, but soon realised that I wanted to earn my living from the things I made. I had my first studio in Lancashire in the 1970's before I married my wife Jan and, in 1977 we moved to Devon where we have made our home and studio, and have our family.

Earning one's living and bringing up a family as a full time artist craftsman is not the easiest way of life but it is deeply
rewarding. Perhaps one thing that artists overlook when considering inspiration is the spiritual dimension to their creativity. In my case, I've been inspired for the last 28 years by practising the Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin. Whilst I gain no visual stimulus from this daily practice, I do believe that I have come to understand how inspiration comes from within my own life. I have an abiding interest in and a respect for both human and animal life, and this is something I have celebrated in my art. I believe that I have something positive to say as an artist and a contribution to make to society. On a practical working level, my Buddhist practise has given me the strength and unflagging determination to continue to survive as an artist for many years- and that is an inspiration in itself!

I have made a variety of pieces over the years: beginning with human sculptural figures, then animal figures, moving on to animal paintings on vessels, and, most recently, vessels with paintings of the human figure. When I began to make vessels with paintings of animals on them, it was my intention to marry my love of painting and drawing with my love of ceramics and the manipulation of form. In my pots I have tried to unite painting and ceramics on my terms.