Hello, welcome to my website, and thank you for finding me. I am an experienced Freelance Illustrator working with the Printmaking medium of Lino-cut in colour and black & white. This website represents a cross section of my work which for over ten years has evolved into the style you will see in my portfolio.

I was born in Greenock and grew up in a small place called Polloch, near Strontian in the West Highlands of Scotland. I attended Lochaber High School in Fort William where I found the enthusiasm to pursue my Artwork. On leaving, I worked for Marine Harvest Ltd on Loch Sunart Salmon Farm for a year before going to Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee from which I graduated with a BA Hons 1st class in Illustration and Printmaking. I later trained as a Secondary School Teacher at Jordanhill College, part of Strathclyde University in Glasgow. Between larger commissions, I sometimes work in Secondary Schools as a Supply Teacher, passing on my skills and enthusiasm for Art. My other work experience includes planting trees and being a part time Soldier in the Territorial Army with the famous Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, now part of the Royal Regiment of Scotland. My interests are varied, and I have a thirst for knowledge of anything and everything around me ranging from people, places, history, music, nature, world events, and the First World War period.

I discovered the Print Medium of Lino-cut at Art College, and received the support and enthusiasm of an inspiring Tutor. The technique is similar to woodcut, but uses Linoleum, a traditional floor covering, in place of wood. The work is properly handcrafted and printed with the aid of a spoon to achieve pressure on the paper. My spoon has developed a hole in it through use!

I will work to all types of brief and I am willing to tackle, interpret and research any subject. I always work to achieve the highest standard and to meet the challenges of the deadline.
I have worked for a wide range of clients with my work being used for Design, Advertising, Editorial and Publishing applications. Commissions have included work for:

The Scotsman
Scotland on Sunday
Sunday Herald
C A Magazine
Scotland in Trust (journal of the National Trust for Scotland)
Scotch Malt Whisky Society
Sco-fro
Forth Ales
Scottish Caskmasters
Unique Events
Highlands and Islands Enterprise
Forestry Commission
Stirling’s Smith Art Gallery and Museum
The National Health Service
Forbo Nairn
Scottish Environment Protection Agency
Historic Scotland
Scottish Natural Heritage
Clackmannan College
Scottish Equitable
The Meteorological Office
Edinburgh City Art Centre
Bosworth Heritage Centre
Luath Press
Chambers Harrap
Edinburgh Countryside Ranger Service
Wasdale fell Organic Meats
Highland Spring.....
And many more.

The Mighty Oystercatcher:
My favourite feathered bird is the Oystercatcher. These striking black and white wading birds can be found in many parts of the world and can be seen strutting about on sea shores and also on land. Funnily enough, the Oystercatcher does not catch Oysters! It is sometimes called a “Sea Pie”, is the national bird of the Faroe Islands, and in Gaelic is known as “Gille Brighde”.

The mighty and majestic Oystercatcher has frequently found its way into my work over the years. Every time you see an Oystercatcher, or hear it call its distinctive “kleep kleep”, or see them flying past calling “kleepakleepakleepa”, you will be reminded of me and my work! You might even find some Oystercatchers on my website!