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Who am I?
I was born and raised in Glasgow, Scotland going to school there. I went on to study science at Glasgow University ultimately leaving with a post-graduate degree in atomic physics. Alongside this interest in science, I was always intrigued by art and attended night school classes at the Glasgow School of Art.
Many years then passed working in medical science in several Glasgow hospitals which have all been subsequently demolished - strange! Much more importantly, I met my wife, Margaret, while we both worked in the Glasgow Western Infirmary. When the time came to retire, we decided to move to the east coast of Scotland, to St Andrews in Fife.
We eventually extended an old property just outside St Andrews at Balmungo, where we now live and also run the Birchwood Cottage Gallery & Tearoom for charity. The tearoom and gallery are open Sat-Sun from 10 am until "last orders" at 4 pm.
In the years since "retirement", Margaret has run the tearoom while I have essentially become a full-time artist inspired by the crystal-clear light and the glorious scenery which bless this part of Scotland, not to mention the beautiful picturesque villages which dot the coastline of the East Neuk of Fife. Most of the artwork is exhibited in our own gallery
The proceeds from the sale of my artworks currently go to the Mary's Meals children's charity.
Why do I paint?
Why indeed! It's a bit like folks who climb high mountains or row single-handedly across the Atlantic - it's just something you need to do - although it has to be said drawing and painting are a good deal safer!
When light falls on a field, a face or a flower, something clicks in your mind and you know you want to draw or paint that image.
Other times you are just playing with paint on canvas or paper and some synergistic interaction of the colours and shapes makes you want to create something interesting without there being any apparent external inspiration.
Basically you just want to explore possibilities with line, colour, tone and texture in a way that satisfies some need in you - and if other people get enjoyment from it, then so much the better.
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