"Originally from Southern England, I am now based in Newcastle Upon Tyne in the north-east of England, where I work as a self-taught artist. I completed my PhD in geochemistry at the University of Southampton in 2009. Following my doctoral studies, I spent several years as a postdoctoral researcher before transitioning to a professional art career in 2020. Throughout my journey, my work has been shaped by a longstanding passion for geological landscapes, coupled with my scientific research experience, enthusiasm for rock climbing, and deep appreciation of minerals. 

At the start of my PhD I began exploring the idea of painting around the themes of geology and rock climbing. I learned that understanding geology requires direct engagement with rocks—observing them in their natural context and studying their colours, textures, and structures. In fact, geological processes are often most effectively communicated through clear diagrams and drawings. In rock climbing a tactile approach is required, you need to feel the rock and read its features in order navigate a route. With experience one recognises that every mountain or crag possesses its own distinctive character. Whether the climber is aware or not, it is the geology that defines that character. What began as initial exploration I found I was increasingly driven to capture in paint the landscapes that climbers inhabit. In 2020 I received my first commission from the Scottish Mountaineering Press (SMP) to create cover art for their climbing guides, while also producing cartography work for the SMP. My work on landscapes is ongoing, alongside my focus on Minerals.  My landscape art can be viewed on my website and on social media. 

In 2021, seeking to reconnect with rocks, geology, and minerals, I began collecting mineral specimens. Attending shows, I encountered a world where breathtaking beauty meets fascinating academic interest and rich history. Beyond this, I discovered the excitement and adventure of collecting minerals myself. The thrill of unearthing a specimen for the first time and the satisfaction of displaying a personally discovered piece with its own unique story is unparalleled. Minerals that carry stories are truly remarkable, and it is a genuine pleasure to begin creating those stories for myself.
In England in 2021, I collected at Greenlaws mine. Peter and Lucy, who run this particular passion project encouraged me to paint one of their specimens. Fluorites are notoriously difficult to photograph, especially if they are strongly fluorescent. Only in paint I felt it was possible to reflect the nature of such a specimen so ‘Funky Fluorite’ was my first mineral painting. This was followed by ‘Campylite’ in 2022. In 2023 I exhibited these paintings at Tucson and Munich and I spoke in Taipai City as part of a seminar series hosted by Mindat. From this starting point I was fortunate to gain recognition for my work and I have since moved on to painting mineral specimens more or less full time for collectors and dealers from all over the world. 

My work has been featured in Rocks and Minerals magazine (Jul 2024), Mineralica magazine (Feb 2025) and Blue Cap Productions ‘What’s Hot in Sainte Marie’ (Jul 2025) and their ‘Munich 2025’ interview series (Oct 2025).

Shows and exhibitions:

I’m fortunate to regularly exhibit internationally at Tucson, Munich, Denver, Sainte Marie aux Mines and in the UK at Edinburgh, Hayward’s Heath, Bakewell, and the London Rock and Gem Show.  

Cartography and artwork features in the following publications:

Scottish Mountaineering Press: Scottish Hill Tracks., ScotWays, 6th Ed (2024)., The Cairngorms and North East Scotland, Iain Young, Anne Butler, Heather Morning (2024)., Scottish Climbs South/Lowland Outcrops., Topher Dagg (2023)., Highland Scrambles North, Iain Thow, (2023)., The Grahams & The Donalds, Rab Anderson and Tom Prentice, 2nd Ed (2022)., Scottish Winter Climbs West, Niel Adams (2022)., Scottish Rock Climbs, Wired Guides (2022)."