Brigade Court, Southwark

and Three Kings, Mayfair London

2025/26 Featured in Southwark News and The Bermondsey Biscuit and Rotherhithe Docker. London Press Issue number. 26

St Saviours Dock Pencil Print - Home Setting

Ambition and Dreams

Every year I have ambitions, and they don’t always come true. But some years, you have to pinch yourself and ask, did that really happen? Well, 2025 was one of those years.

A few years back, I used to help out part-time in a shop on Bermondsey Street. Sadly, it closed due to financial difficulties, and I realised this was the perfect opportunity for me to step out of my comfort zone and showcase my artwork in person through solo exhibitions.

If you’re working for someone, it’s very easy to settle into a comfort zone and not always explore new avenues. The fear of the unknown holds many of us back from that journey — myself included. But when you’re pushed, it awakens the survival instincts that force you to get on with it and make those plans come true.

Difficult Times

As mentioned, 2025 had its ups and downs, with a frustrating start to the year spent trying to secure venues for pop-ups. Not many landlords are interested in pop-up events, but in a time of dwindling retail outlets and rising overheads — including taxation, employment law, and supply issues — the humble pop-up can really showcase empty units and bring renewed life to the high street, even if only for a short period.

That said, I knocked on many doors throughout the year and must confess that I found it extremely frustrating at times.

Time for Focus

That said, at the beginning of the year I cracked on with painting new scenes across London, including Primrose Hill, Highgate Hill, Chelsea, and St Paul’s. Many of you have asked how I go about choosing the scenes. There is no great process, but I do hop on my trusted bicycle and use public transport, admiring the diverse architecture that London has in abundance.

Only after choosing and painting a location do I stumble upon the most exciting stories behind it — tales of great fortunes, and sometimes of shocking disappointment. Life is about the journey, not always the destination, and this has proven true in my own experience within the art world. Having spent years working in an office, this journey I’ve found myself on brings immense joy through the people I meet and the common bond formed through the artwork I create.

Showroom

One of the early milestones of the year came with an invitation to attend a showroom event at Brigade Court on Southwark Bridge Road. The showroom featured my artwork throughout this sumptuous new development and led to further opportunities, including my work being featured in a multi-million-pound Mayfair apartment opposite Claridge’s Hotel.

A LIFE WITHOUT DREAMS IS A LIFE STRIPPED OF POSSIBILITIES.

Bermondsey Village

The annual Bermondsey Festival took place in September 2025. It’s an event close to my heart which I absolutely adore. I’ve been attending for many years now and feel like it’s the life and soul of the community.

When I first moved to Bermondsey, Bermondsey Street didn’t exactly look that inviting back in 1997 — but wow, how it has changed by leaps and bounds. It’s definitely the jewel of the neighbourhood, which I regularly find myself visiting. This vibrant location should undoubtedly be renamed Bermondsey Village. It is a local landmark worthy of a visit whether the festival is on or not, with all the independent shops and attractions it boasts, such as the White Cube, FTM, outdoor tennis, and a variety of cafés, bars, and restaurants to whet the palate.

Hidden London Exhibition - Surrey Quays Shopping Centre

The crowning moment of 2026 has got to be setting up the Hidden London solo exhibition at Surrey Quays Shopping Centre. The event ran from October through to the end of December. A big thank you goes out to British Land. Throughout the exhibition, I had the pleasure of meeting so many of you, which is always a joy. I truly enjoy meeting the public, listening to your stories, and sharing a few of my own.

A few highlights for me included meeting a local resident and the voice of Wallace from Wallace and Gromit, Ben Whitehead. I’m a big fan of Aardman productions and love the creative genius behind the films. Ben was an absolute gentleman, and I look forward to following his career achievements.

I also had the honour of meeting another local celebrity, Daniel Annoy, who plays Terrance in the Netflix hit The Recruit. I must confess I binge-watched the episodes over the course of a week and absolutely loved the series. Daniel is a truly inspiring guy — down-to-earth and incredibly kind. I can’t wait to see more of him in future films.

We are now well and truly into 2026, and I’m cracking on with new London scenes that I can’t wait to release. If you haven’t already, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter for updates. Your messages are always appreciated.

From my personal wall of words of wisdom at home: Live each day to its fullest. Dare to be different and follow your own star.