Working in the traditional media of watercolour and oils, Ivan Taylor's distinctive style has been influenced by the masters of English landscape form John S Cotman to Edward Seago.

Ivan was born in North Staffordshire in 1946 and during his early years was in inspired by the wealth of artistic talent in the local pottery manufacturing industry and the Society of Staffordshire artists which was formed in 1933.

Ivan began painting at an early age, demonstrating his natural talent for structure, form and tone and he was successful before the age of 15 in having some 40 pictures shown on Adrian Hill's BBC Sketch club.

His professional career took him first into industry and then into the public sector where for 15 years he was head of graphics for Staffordshire education authority. However his first love was always for fine art and demand for his work encouraged him to become a full time professional artist in 1989.  He was elected President of the Society of Staffordshire artists in 1999.

His work has been successfully exhibited in public exhibitions and at galleries in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia and South Africa and is now collected worldwide. The last three exhibitions of his paintings in Dallas were a sell out.

He was awarded the Rowland Hilder award at the Mall Galleries London in 2006.

Submitted by Shaun Lawrie