About Me
I have apparently built up a worldwide reputation as the artist who has re-awakened the visions and exquisite artwork of the ancient Celtic Illuminati, and for bringing to life the mystic symbolism, myths and imagery of Celtic art in a contemporary style that is uniquely my own.
In 1984 I caught the imagination and spirit of the time when my work “Merlin the Immortal” was first published igniting once again an interest in Arthurian legend.
Born of Welsh, Scottish and Irish descent on October 31st 1946 in Blackwood, South Wales, I grew up in London. My career began when I obtained an apprenticeship to one of the UK’s largest jewellery manufacturers as an engraver and designer where my designs became popular and in high demand.
Unfortunately in 1974 I was forced to have major surgery to my spine and during the stay in hospital I experienced a series of mystical visions, which changed my life totally. These experience’s, along with a deep feeling of personal loss following the death of my father soon afterwards, led me to question what I really wanted from this life. So as part of my personal quest I joined the Buddhist Temple in London and began a ever developing spiritual journey.
I did not to go back to my engraving job but instead began to draw, adding Celtic inspired borders to my pictures. For extra income I painted designs on old furniture using Art Nouveau and Pre-Raphaelite inspired designs. Soon, as my art become popular I created a range of cards and prints that became ever more in demand.
Inspired, I began to create a series of black and white prints which would go on to become the book that I am most associated with, ‘Merlin Awakens’.
Commissioned to produce covers for new age music, I gained increasing recognition, and went on to illustrate over 45 published books, such as Celtic Borders and Decoration, The Art of Celtia, The Celtic Tarot, St Patrick – A Visual Celebration and The Celtic Source Book that have become Iconic Celtic Art Classics.
My work has been exhibited widely in Europe and as far a field as Tokyo and Australia, with my first American exhibition in Chicago in 1995. Since then I have exhibited regularly in the USA. Many of my original pieces can be located in private and institutional collections, in chapels and museums.
I am entirely self-taught, and my sacred art is created in gouache and ink. “When I start a picture I don’t know what I’m going to draw – often the image will change as I’m working on it. It’s taken me a long time to learn to just go with the flow of the picture, rather than trying to plan how it’s going to develop.” I find that light energy guides my hand as I work.
Designs of my art have been applied to mediums such as cards, posters, fabrics, glass, jewellery, carpets and even in the form of body art.
I now live and work in Bridport, Dorset and am about to exhibit in a new esoteric gallery here, The Gallery of Secrets.
This is my first exhibition in the UK since 1989 when I exhibited in St Martin in the Fields, London. On display, along with my original artwork there will be limited edition pieces of sacred jewellery produced by Peter Stone.
I will also take on commissions for art and jewellery designed by myself.
Much like the monks, druids and bards who went through a minimum of twenty years rigorous training, I now feel that I am entering a new level of maturity.
I always hope that when viewed my art has beauty and can project feelings, bringing you closer to the hidden ‘veil’, and perhaps even help you on your own spiritual or special journey to that which is within us all, the path to personal self realisation or enlightenment.
