Previously he had been studying English and History at Glasgow University but his mining experiences seemed to have help determine that an already strong interest in the visual arts developed into a need to paint.

His art was enriched by his regard for the French Post-Impressionists masters such as Matisse, Gauguin, Picasso, Braque, Chagall and Redon, painterly and richly coloured in a long-standing Scottish tradition.

Always informed by an intellectual rigour and reference to the wider history of art, literature and music, it is generally celebratory of the good things in life and nature.

During this period he was commissioned as the artist involved in the reconstruction of the King's room at Falkland Palace, Fife where his murals and ceiling paintings can still be seen today.

In 1957 a gouache Moon, Santa Zita of the Basilica of San Frediano in Lucca, Italy, was included as one of the 'Young Artists of Promise' in Jack Beddington's book.

He is remembered at Duncan of Jordanstone for opening the minds of staff and students alike and spent the last two years of his career there as head of painting a post he took over from his great friend, colleague and fellow Scottish artist, Alberto Morrocco, before retiring in 1985.