I love detail, humour and fun in illustration, inspired by my childhood favourites: Janet and Allan Ahlberg (especially Burglar Bill), Shirley Hughes (especially The Trouble with Jack) Graham Oakley, Raymond Briggs, Quentin Blake, Helen Oxenbury, John Burningham, Brian Wildsmith, David McKee, Judith Kerr …

In my own painting and drawings I prioritise character and pictures that tell a story, and love to ramp up the colour and texture using watercolour, pen, coloured pencils, pastels and whatever else is in reach.

I live in a village in Essex with the spouse, our beloved dog and our slightly less beloved cat. Sorry Audrey but you do insist upon sleeping on my head - and that can be quite alarming at 3am.

I’ve always loved art but I can’t say I remember art teachers at school with particular fondness. I always felt overlooked for the star pupils. Sob, let me wipe away the hot tear trickling slowly down my cheek. Maybe one day I will be emotionally mature? In the meantime I continue to blame Mr C for putting the dampener on my artistic ambitions. It’s easier that way.

Virginia Woolf was definitely on to something with that room of one’s own thing because I now have such a room that I can clutter up with paints, pens, paper, glue etc and I never have to tidy up. Unless I want to, which is rare. Deluxe living.