I've always been able to draw and I can't remember a time when I couldn't. I even remember the first time being praised for a drawing in primary school – a deep-sea diver with goggles. It was pretty good and had all the correct breathing apparatus and huge flippers. You should have seen the seaweed floating round him as well! I don't wish to brag, but it was so good that whenever there was a need to draw seaweed, I was always the first port of call.

When I was at school, I used to love sitting in class doodling. To be honest, I should have been more focused on the lesson, but that's what goes on when you're a creative. Thank you, Mr Hayden, for encouraging me to draw cartoons in your class and if you're reading this Sir (old habits die hard), you do realise it was an English class!

After I finished school, I studied art at Stourbridge Art College in Stourbridge (hence the name). I’d like to say I learned quite a bit, but man, who am I kidding? It was the most confusing time in my life! Tutors would always have conflicting views - "You haven't shaded that negative space correctly!" What!? I do understand negative space now though, so please don’t worry dear reader.

Anyway, once I finished Art College, I ended up joining the games industry, working on racing titles for Lego and the Bafta award winning Sydney 2000! I've still got a picture of me holding the Bafta award, and while I’d like to post it up, it's not the most flattering pic. I am a bit porky and I'd likely eat up all your bandwidth!.

In 2005, I left the industry (redundancy) and was kind of at a loss of what to do. A good friend of mine said, 'why not have a go at painting?" To which I responded, "yes, I think I will." So I did and it was cool. My first piece was of the late great comedian Bill Hicks. I decided to focus on comedy icons as I was doing stand-up at the time and wanted to combine my two loves – comedy and art. In my first year as a freelance artist, I got signed to a publisher and my prints flew off gallery walls. It was a great boost to my confidence.