Eric’s passion for Wildlife, started at an early age when as a child he would play in the forests of Derbyshire England, seeking out birds nests, or just watching a King Fisher darting back and forth to its nest as he sat on the bank of a pond fishing with his friends. These memories would remain, until later in life when he would turn his talents to portraying his love of wildlife.

He first started his working career as a sign writer, learning the skills of the by- gone old masters, from wood graining, marbling effects, and gilding, to mural painting were all part of a sign painter’s trade in those days. After completing his apprenticeship Eric was employed as the sole sign artist for a large brewery Co. in Nottingham where he produced pictorial swing signs and general signage, mainly all done in 23crt gold leaf.

Of an evening Eric would paint portrait commissions of local dignitaries, and a portrait of the Queen and Sir Winston Churchill being requested by the local Conservatory Party. Some eighteen years later he decided to form his own company in pictorial signage and point of sale advertising, and it was during this time that a contract to work in Florida USA Producing 60 x 20ft Murals for the Film Industry would change Eric’s life forever.

Arriving in Australia in 1981 with his wife and family he became a member of the Wildlife Art Society of Australasia where he received many of the top awards in there annual wildlife art shows. In the early years Eric would use an Air Brush to give the out of focus illusions for his back grounds, but now feels that, that effect is to illustrative and mechanical.

For the past 15yrs his work has been reproduced in calendars and greeting cards, the work of which was painted in water colours and gouache. His work is now mainly done in oils or acrylics on conservation board, working from field studies and photographs. He believes that if he has projected some of his inspirations and emotions to the viewer then his work is wholly worthwhile. Eric is one of a group of artists on the Mornington Peninsular, Victoria. Named ‘Brushmen of the Bay’