The stunning coastal landscape of Norfolk and its wildlife have always been central to my work and are the core of it. Long wavering skeins of pinkfeet geese etched against a winter sky, wigeon pitching into a flooding salt marsh or cattle far out on the grazing marsh all feature strongly in my work. Habitat is a key part of my depictions of these wetland landscapes. It is of vital importance to the abundant wildlife of our Norfolk marshlands and coast. I try to evoke awareness of what we have, are in danger of losing and, in some cases, are recreating in our fragile world. Although drawing and painting were always a constant in my life, I trained in agriculture and worked as a shepherd for many years. Long and happy hours spent tending my flock in the Breckland near our home and in North Norfolk gave me the opportunity to watch and learn at close hand the landscapes and wildlife I feel so strongly connected to. I am self taught and began my professional artistic career over 40 years ago following a happy and encouraging meeting with Sir Peter Scott. His great kindness and optimism gave me the confidence to follow this path and I will forever be indebted to him. My work has taken me to Northern Canada, Swedish Lapland, Kenya and, for the last 32 years, Iceland. My fascination with pinkfeet geese has made our annual trip to this extraordinary and austerely beautiful country a hugely important part of my life.