Paint or Draw

Aldershot is a Military Town/City in North East of Hampshire. There is a large community of Gurgha families (many retired there after UK army service). I was fascinated to see these Gurgha ladies enjoying together there 'A Market Square Community Event' with musical etc entertainment.

I like to see a city spread out in front of me. You can't always achieve this, but the viewpoint from Piazzale Michelangelo looking over Florence gets in all of the main features including the Ponte Vecchio and the Duomo. Here is my take, in pen and wash.

The city (a generic sky scraper city) should look inviting even on a rainy day. Inviting to walk along the street because of the vibrant colours and reflections. To wonder what others are doing?

Among the iconic images of Belfast is the Titanic visitor experience which tells the story of the famous ship. Then there are the two cranes, known locally as Sampson and Goliath, which dominate the Belfast skyline. They are situated in what was once the Harland and Wolff Shipyard where the Titanic was built.

I like collecting old photos of my hometown, particularly those of trams and buses. This painting is based on an old black and white photo of Mackie's Corner, Sunderland taken in 1943.

I find buildings difficult to paint, but discovered metal bridges are a hundred times harder!

'New York, New York'

This work is a mixed media piece using pen and ink on collaged paper including different coloured tissues. It is based on a series of photographs I took in Salford for my project entitled “Salford Revisited” which captured the old and the new in the city in which I was born and bred. This is part of the new Media City built on the old Salford Docks.

As I am from the North West of England, I am always inspired to paint scenes from our industrial heritage.

River Dee in the City of Chester.

I used watercolours and ink to capture this stunning sunset of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament from Westminster Bridge, London.

This is my imaginary city, perhaps a little Art Deco, set against a silken sky.

I spotted this girl on a wet and wind day and was drawn to the splash of colour in a grey London scene.

Painted from a photo whilst in beautiful Venice. So quiet and deserted very atmospheric.

My home city of Edinburgh from Inverleith. A drypoint etching I made of a black and white photograph I took as part of a school project in 1966.