After a distinguished career as a Head Teacher in both challenging and rewarding situations Len took up visual art as a cathartic pastime shortly before his retirement in 1986.

His influences are many and varied. His subjects both diverse and engaging.

From his early, almost primitive, still life studies to a growing appreciation of how famous artists created work with great atmosphere and on to to his more recent use of new media and illustrative styles, Len's artistic 'journey' has enjoyed many different directions, influences and locations.

Len's artistic life really began when he did School Certificate art, gaining four credits having sat four times in different sections of the curriculum. 

Not until 1986 did Len undergo any further, formal art training when he enrolled on a watercolour course at Gateshead's Technical College. More

Since then he has trained under an American Artist, Tim Wells who is based in Kirkwhelpington, Northumberland. More Travelling with Tim to Normandie, Len honed his skills in the beautiful coastal Town of Honfleur and even more significantly he was allowed the privelege of painting in Monet's garden at Giverny as an 'artist'. No members of the general public are allowed such access.

His training then moved onto Northumbria University where he studied under Jason Skill More and Even More also trained at the W.E.A. with Joe Hush More

Painting in North Yorkshire with Charles Evans was another significant stage in the development of skills. A particularly enjoyable time for him and his wife, Elsie. More

Most recently Len has been refining his art at the Lyndhurst Centre in his native town of Low Fell where he is studying under Major Bernard.

In 1997 he entered this painting of Portofino in the Craven Arts Prize Exhibition, held annually at the Northumbria University Gallery in Newcastle. Out of 270 entries from amateurs and professionals his painting was one of only 62 accepted for the exhibition. More

2003 - Domain Field, Anthony Gormley - Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art

Domain Field was an ambitious project commissioned especially for the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead. Len was one of the models used to facilitate its creation. Cast in clay first then fashioned in stainless steel, Len's body form became an integral part of this stunning installation. Len was body number 174 - not that it was easy to find him. Len enjoyed meeting Anthony Gormley and was grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this iconic sculpture not long after the centre opened. More 

By clicking on the PDF logo below you can read the full text of how this innovative installation came into existence.