stockport viaduct

Alan attended the Regional College of Art, Manchester from 1957 to 1961, where I studied painting under Harry Rutherford, Ian Grant, Harold Williamson, Douglas Dyson, Morgan Hewinson and Fred Dean. It was there he met Geoffrey Key amongst others, and exhibited with him occasionally in Manchester and various venues in the north west along with Trevor Grimshaw who he met some years later. Subsequently he became well acquainted with Harry Rutherford, who lived on Nelson Street, Hyde quite near to where he live’s, and whose work has been influential.

Since leaving college with NDD (painting) and DA (Manc.). Alan taught part-time in various colleges and further education centres, while continuing to paint. In the 1960s he painted a number of portraits, including that of Sir Frank Lord, Sheriff of Lancashire.

In 1989 Alan gave up teaching in order to paint full-time. He work mainly from observation on landscape, both urban and rural, and still life.

Alan has been a member of Manchester Academy and have had work in The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition and in the Royal Scottish Academy. Otherwise he has shown predominately in the north west.