Ian Sidaway RI

I was born in 1951 into a mining and clayworking community near Tamworth Staffordshire. After completing a foundation course at Nuneaton school of art I went on to study graphic design at Twickenham college of technology. After working for a brief spell as a designer I began to concentrate on painting in the early 1970s. For several years  I worked as a builder, carpenter and gardener to supplement income. I exhibited widely at Federation of British artists open exhibitions, the Royal Academy summer exhibition, Agnews gallery and various other galleries in London, Brighton and the USA. Through the 1980s  I concentrated on commissioned portrait work. The 1990s bought another change in direction with book illustrations on various subjects including travel, food and gardening. I then began to illustrate practical art books for various authors before beginning to author my own books. I have been a regular contributor to various art part works and practical art magazines.  I have also led painting courses in Tuscany and Venice. In 2008 I decided to do less publishing work and concentrate on producing works to exhibit. In 2010 I was elected a member of the Royal Institute of painters in watercolour.