It started at a pub quiz.
As a teenager at school, I had always imagined I would have a career in graphic design. I did well in Art subjects and produced a portfolio that gained me acceptance to a sought-after art college. But the universe had other ideas, and just two weeks before I took up my place at college, I was offered a job as an editorial assistant on a national magazine. I couldn’t really turn it down. And so, my ambition to become an artist were put away.
Fast forward 40 years and I found myself at a pub quiz where each week the host would offer bonus points for a sketch on a given subject. After a couple of weeks I decided to pick up some colouring pens from an art shop very near the pub. But rather than run-of-the-mill felt tips, I’d accidentally bought a set of alcohol based markers designed for professional artists. I was immediately impressed with how the ink flowed almost like watercolours. Soon after, while sitting alone in the Richard 1, I decided to do a sketch of the pub. It’s the picture to the right. The positive reaction to the sketch prompted me to do more pubs, and it has snowballed from there.
The original sketch of the Richard 1 can be seen hanging above the bar.
