How did you get started?

My "career" as an artist began late in 2000. A local Art Store was holding its Christmas exhibition of amateur artwork, and for some reason I can't recall, I thought I'd have a go at showing a few drawings.

I chose to produce some very tame nude figure studies; because I felt they might sell. I had no expectations of success, but to my amazement all my pictures were bought. My success inspired me to draw more frequently, and a few months on, I had enough images to publish my first web site. Once again, my humble expectations were exceeded, and almost immediately my site got around a hundred visitors a day. More significantly, I started to achieve sales, and receive "fan mail".
When I sold my first couple of drawings, it was heart-breaking to part with them, but I seldom feel this way today.
Being an artist was not planned; it all happened by accident, and has continued to develop that way. Every once in a while, some new and unexpected opportunity has presented itself, and so I've kept on drawing nudes, as and when I have the time to do so.
I still describe myself as an "amateur artist". Although I derive an income from artwork, I am not dependant on sales. I have a full time day job that pays the mortgage, and which I am happy doing.

 

Did you have any training? Who has influenced you?

No, I've never had any training. I have always drawn for pleasure since childhood, but I never took my artwork very seriously. I guess I've just figured-out for myself how to achieve the results I wanted (but I'm still working on the problem of how to get the results I would really like to achieve!).

I have always loved artwork, especially the paintings produced by the pre-Raphalite Artists of the Victorian era. It's the exquisite attention to detail that does it for me. I have no time for modern art.
In the field of "erotic art", I adore the work of Erik Drudwyn. That's the standard I want to achieve one day! The problem is, Erik just keeps getting better and better, so I don't think he is ever in danger of competition from me.

 

How do you work?

The one question everyone always asks is - do I work with models and draw from life, copy from photographs, or draw from my imagination?

Sadly the answer is the least exciting option; I mainly copy from photographs, but usually exercise a little imagination to change some of the details. It's the most practical way for me. I am occasionally my own body stand-in; when I need to restore a missing limb for example. Yes, there are bits of me in some of my drawings! If I ever became seriously successful, I would most definitely work with live models.