Description

I never imagined I’d be here. My journey as an artist began as a barman, heading toward a career I wasn’t sure I wanted. There’s always a catalyst in these stories, and mine came when I was made redundant from a pub takeover. It was during this time that I picked up a pencil again, looking for a way to make some quick money. I drew a Supermarine Spitfire and sold it on Facebook Marketplace for £50.

I’d always had a skill with a pencil. Growing up, I loved creating stories with my drawings, featuring film subjects, superheroes, and designing new cars. That interest never left. In school, my books were always filled with intricate drawings. Every page of work I completed had a doodled margin. I’d even trade my covered history folder at the end of the year for something useful, like pens or snacks.

Painting Formula 1 and motorsport gave me a deeper connection to my childhood passions. It was an emotional tie to the subjects I had long loved to draw. My first breakthrough came with a pit stop painting of Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes. It didn’t have the hallmarks of my current work, but I discovered a love of the challenge, from helmet reflections to the texture of the pit crew’s clothing. The diversity of subject matter was unlike anything I had painted before, and from that point, my work evolved, piece by piece, in the pursuit of perfection.

One of my leaps of faith came in 2024, when I took on the challenge of live painting at the Goodwood Festival of Speed over four days. I knew I had the skills to complete the piece, but never before in such an environment, with constant crowds of people. It was rewarding to see people experience the process and appreciate the detail and complexity behind the work. My wife and I were even invited into the Ferrari garage by the team to see the Formula 1 cars up close, a rare privilege.

Since then, my work has opened incredible opportunities. I’ve collaborated with some of the biggest brands in motorsport, including McLaren and Aston Martin. Most recently being flown to Dubai for a special McLaren event, for the creation a one-of-a-kind painting of Lando Norris to celebrate his 2025 World Championship win, I did so with a gold background to reflect the significance of the moment.

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