I first began painting as a hobby more than 20 years ago, whilst working as an electrician.

I took inspiration from the works of David Hockney and John Piper and experimented with different mediums, from watercolours and gouache, before finally settling with bright, bold acrylic. I love the intensity of colour the acrylic gives, often building up 4 to 5 layers of paint to achieve the depth of colour I like. In 1994, I became a full-time artist and began working from home.

I used to live on St George's Quay in Lancaster and whilst painting one evening, a hot air balloon came floating down the river. I took a photograph and decided to use it in one of my pictures. Over the years, hot air balloons have become a constant in my work and people are often disappointed if I do not put any in a picture.

I continue to be inspired by the people, architecture and landscape of Lancaster, Morecambe and the surrounding area. I also have a passion for the sea and for boats. I love travelling to Devon or Cornwall, watching the fishing boats and visiting beautiful harbour towns such as Dartmouth, Dittisham, Salcolmbe, Coverack Cove and Porthleven.

I am represented by galleries locally and also in Devon and am fortunate to have collectors from New York to New Zealand!

As I have a considerable waiting list for commissions, I rarely get chance to exhibit original paintings, but I do have an annual exhibition every November at the Ashton Memorial, Williamson Park, Lancaster showing retrospective work, a small number of original paintings and all the Limited Edition prints. I have been having this show now for 11 years and it has become quite a social event, often seeing more than 1500 people over the weekend.

I also work in local schools, painting murals with the children and doing art workshops. The children love painting and it's fantastic seeing them get excited about colour, shape and design.

I hope you enjoy looking through this gallery of prints and maybe, they will make you feel happy too!

You can find my work in the following galleries:

• The Crescent Gallery, Bare, Morecambe
• Town House Gallery, Morecambe
• Town House Gallery, Lancaster
• Baxter's Gallery, Dartmouth, Devon
• Janet Bell Gallery, Beaumaris, Angelsey
• Massarella Fine Arts, Saltaire, Yorkshire
• The Lunesdale Arms, Tunstall, Nr. Kirkby Lonsdale