After Nunthorpe Grammar School York, and a degree in Egyptology from Oxford University, he worked freelance at painting murals in pubs and hotels, also special effects painting and prop-making for theatre, film and museums around Europe and construction sites in Arabia. Solo exhibitions of paintings have been held in York, Oriel College, Oxford, and the Turkish embassy in London.
Work also continues on creating the illusion of moving water in hand-cranked wooden machines.