about the artist and artbarks murals

I've been painting and drawing since I was knee high and short of being a brain surgeon that's what I've always wanted to do. I grew up and still live in Bournemouth where I am trying to set up my own studio or at least a place it doesn't matter about getting paint everywhere. I studied illustration at Plymouth/Exeter University and left in 1999 with a 2.1 and since then people have been paying me to paint on their walls.

I began painting murals around 12 years ago, at the time it was only a favour for a neighbour and to earn a bit of much needed cash whilst at uni. I had never really considered this scale of painting before, so with a lot of learning on the job I had to teach myself the art of mural painting. In the early days I painted a lot of u.v. backdrops for bars and clubs in and around Bournemouth. Most of my work these days is within the leisure industry for parks, aquariums and zoo's around the country but, I will take commissions for both commercial and domestic murals.

I set up artbarks.co.uk around a year ago with the aim to house photos of some of the murals I paint. As you look through this site you will notice there are a couple of different styles I use to create murals. The two most distinct ways I like to work on walls are: firstly the slightly quirky illustrative style mostly favoured by younger children. This is largely character based and works great for nurseries, bedrooms and parks with younger visitors. Secondly a more realistic approach to painting with a greater level of detail more lifelike and natural.

I hope you enjoy your visit.