1. How did you get your start?
Inspired by the exhibition of early British watercolours at the Royal Academy in 1993, I was lucky to find a job in Sotheby’s watercolour department where I stayed for 10 years. I left Sotheby’s in 2004 and have been happily dealing ever since. It is a very British art form which suits our weather and temperament.
Early topographical watercolours are a fascinating and important historical record and are also often very beautiful and of great quality. They also have an immediacy which oil paintings often lack.
2. What fairs do you attend?
As I have a gallery, I don’t do as many fairs as I used to. I love doing the Works on Paper Fair in late January, as that’s my speciality, and also the BADA Fair in March as it’s in a great location and attracts a traditional clientele. As a visitor, a day trip to Paris for the Salon du Dessin.
3. What are one or two current buying trends you have noticed?
I don’t know whether interest is resurging for early watercolours but very good examples have recently made high prices at auction outside London [see Art Market.
4. Describe an exhibition you would love to stage?
An exhibition of Turner sky studies found unattributed in a dusty folio.
5. Real ale or espresso martini?
A pint of Brakspear please if you’re offering…
