Simeon's artistic abilities 111n11ifested em·IJ~ 1111d by the age of 14 he was exbibiring prolifitalo, across the North ofEngkmd, (IS well as the Royal Arndem/s summer exhibition. /11 the early nineties Simeon moved to Con1u 111/l to purme Ns p11Jsim1 for composing 11111sic 1111d p11i11ti11g. TodAJ- his p11inti11._(S t11Y' mm-e Hmght nftrr th1111 ever 1111d held in priw1tt and n11tirmal 1·nllrttions t1•orldt1 1ide.
.H11,~r ~(t/,t'_t(c_mrs r/,11111ppr11r in Simron's paintings hold grent .,·(c.11{/i,t111,·r. n,~·cJnlk lwt't mndr 1111 instt111t impression on Simeon, rir/,n· lw,,i,1<!. ;u,.-1 mtt thrm, <;ltmccd them in the street, or known L tl,f1', N'<'r t/,r ww,~· 11."_ft-irnds.
H<'U't('t't('T', in tht <"'11.St ofAunt Dot this significance was a surprise, even rt1 riv nrti..,·r himst/f- 11s you will 1"Md Utter.
Lady in a Bar in France
Fishermen's wives
Dot & Trixie on the Beach
Aunt Dot
My mother's sister, aunt Dot, was always doing handstands in the small backyard behind their home in Dukinfield. I hadn't known aunt Dot but for some reason during my early painting years f found myself painting a figure of a child practising handstands. Later, I learnt from my mother that this was aunt Dot's favourite activity and, to this day, Dot features in almost all my paintings. You will also see a 'jumping dog' at her side as I felt she cut a lonely figure without a companion. The dog is my beloved Trixie, a Jack Russel. Trixie belonged to my elder brother Barry, who had trained her to catch rabbits for our meals. Trixie lived to a ripe old age of twenty plus years, and remains with me to this day, thanks to the remarkable skills of a Taxidermist. Sadly aunt Dot wasn't so fortunate to reach old age but is, however, immortalised in oils and bronze.
Trixie & Patch
Dot& Donkey
Ruby (Girl with Pigtails)
One. morning, I was due to discuss my paintings with Sally, the owner of Avalon Gallery, in Marazion. 0~ th is particular occasion I was struck by the sight of a young girl dressed in her school uniform ready for her firS t day at school. She had long black pigtails and her mother had taken her to show Sally how smart her daugh!er looked. This little girl's family lived on St Michael's Mount. Ruby will be an adult now, but from time to time, 1still like to paint her as that little girl with pigtails.
Ruby with her Dad
Ruby at Burgh Island
Girl with Hair Extensions
I had recently moved into a new neighbourl,ood and decided to have alarge house party and invite my neighbours. One lady in particular caught my attention when she bounced in with her hair in bunches 'flopping like rabbits ears•. She knew I was an artist and requested that I indud('(i her in my paintings and I happily obliged.
Dartmouth - detail
Detail of painting
Fluffy
In my more recent work you will find Fluffy the cat. Fluffy belongs to my son Alex and his wife Hannah. Hannah chose Fluffy as a kitten for her Gran, and when her dear Gran passed away Hannah and Alex adopted the now 16 year old cat that is still young at heart and as fluffy as ever.
Maquette for Bronze
Fluffy at the Fish Market
Fluffy on plates
Donkeys
1_have alway~ been very fond of Donkeys and for some years kept many as pets on our farm. As a memory o_f th is time, 1often include them in my beach scenes. They also remind me of holidays in Blackpool when Donkey ri des were very popular.
Lil the Donkey & Trixie
Maquette for Bronze
Donkeys on the Beach
Fairgrounds
My brother Barry repaired broken fairground equipment which he would subsequently sell back to the fair ground owners. He also organised the 'Glossop Victorian Weekend', a very joyous occasion when people would dress up, ride on swing boats, eat candy floss and enjoy a variety of steam engines on display, and where I once won the pie eating contest.
Glossop Market with 'Bronwyn'
Devon
One hot summer my friend Alison invited to me visit her in East Devon. This trip and the many following, inspired awhole new series of paintings that included the beautiful beaches of Budleigh, Sidmouth, Branscombe and Beer with their characterful fishing boats, and the charming towns of Ottery St Mary and Colyton.
The Fishem,en and Still life Fish paintings also began at this time.
Hauling in the nets at Beer
Brothers at Lunch
The Lady Looking out to Sea
My partner for many years, and a huge influence on my work was Alice Hanson. She never liked having her photograph taken so I always paint her looking out to sea and wearing a blue dress, and a hat with red ribbon blowing in the wind. I often paint a child at her side.
Miners
When I was a young man living in the North I worked on building sites and my paintings of Miners are a memory of this time but also a reference to miners that worked in the tin mines of Cornwall. My love for black and white images derives from my admiration of Rembrandt's etchings, and as a child I painted regularly in black and white water-colour.
At the Pit Head
