I started my advertising career with my first job at the Littlewoods Fashion catalogue studios in the late 1960s. There, I learned typography, retouching and layout skills working with classic photographers like Cornell Lucas and F. John French.
As a Junior Art Director in advertising agency Geers Gross, I made storyboards for Homepride and TV campaigns.
In 1972, a chance job for group Emerson Lake & Palmer (ELP) was my watershed moment. Being part of such a huge project there, I art-directed 30 original artworks for their European Tour.
After ELP, I started at Polydor records as Art Director. There, various Pop, Rock and Jazz labels all needed artwork from The Publicity Department. The average was 30 albums each month with ads and in-store posters. I briefed designers, illustrators and photographers for likes of The Bee Gees, The Who and Eric Clapton. Artists and managers would turn in the studio.
At Conde Nast in 1982, I worked on editorial magazines and fashion. I was hired by Alexander Kroll, who in the 1940's designed the Vogue typeface. This was a rare privilege to be with such a humble legend.
My next big break in advertising was at Ogilvy & Mather. The 1980's was exciting time for London advertising working across TV and Press campaigns for American Express, Guinness and Ford with some now legendary film talents like Ridley Scott and Adrian Lynne.
After Ogilvy, I went on to work freelance on direct mail and charity ad campaigns for Lever Bros. and Battersea Dogs Home.
I began making silkscreen prints in 2013 and I remember the advice that Andy Warhol gave me early in my career - just get on with making art rather than procrastinating about what happens next in your life!.
Liberty became interested in my Classic Singles Series. Since then I produced editions for Paul Smith and Selfridges.
Much of my work reflects my fascination with lettering and retro graphics. |
