A rocky start. A lack of drive but many ideas. Time to start.

My Dad got ill when I lived in Edinburgh while I was studying for my PGDE in art education.

I fluked onto the PGDE course. While in Morzine doing a ski season I applied to Moray House College. I was called in for an interview. My mum and dad pulled all my salvaged artwork down from the loft and drove to Edinburgh. I flew home and met them. In a slightly delirious state I pieced together a portfolio in a hotel room. The interview went well, I was accepted on to the course, starting in August. I moved to Edinburgh.

I struggled with the placements and assignments.

In Edinburgh, I found climbing or more specifically bouldering. I dabbled in climbing prior to Edinburgh but never invested time or money in it.

The PGDE was intense learning. It was an assignment followed by placement - repeat. It felt rushed, like it was designed to give you the bare minimum to teach and get by.

Edinburgh Uni has this massive gym with everything you’ll ever need, including a large bouldering gym. I bought rock shoes, which I quickly realised were awful. I bought better shoes. I started climbing a lot in the bouldering gym. Progress was made and new friends found. It was the ultimate switch off from the outside world for me. I competed against myself. I watched better climbers and learned how to move on the wall. I began weight training specifically for climbing. I started watching climbing videos. I read an ancient book in the library about climbing techniques from the 60s instead of writing my essay on higher order cognitive thinking.

For Christmas 2017, my girlfriend Laura bought me a tiny moleskine sketchbook and a set of fine line pens. I started doodling in this sketchbook, filling it with places I’d rather be than the library. A style started to emerge where bold, straight lines would mingle with more natural forms. I mostly drew hills and animals. @Highland_Doodles was started. I wanted to try and create a drawing a day.

I passed all my placements, I found them stressful but easier than writing essays. I passed my PGDE. I missed my graduation as I booked a road trip in a Fiat 500 around the Italian Dolomites with Laura instead.

With a bit of luck I landed my probationary year at Millburn Academy in my hometown of Inverness. It was exactly where I wanted to be. I began the year with a positive mind set but as my Dad’s condition deteriorated I began to struggle.

The team at Millburn were absolutely brilliant, I couldn’t fault the support I received from all of my peers and work colleagues.

I passed my probationary year and was kept on at Millburn for my second year of teaching.

Laura and I looked at mortgages and started the process of buying a flat in Inverness.

My Dad wasn’t recovering. He was taken to the Highland Hospice where the nurses and staff looked after him. I will be forever grateful to them for the care and compassion they gave him in his final days. I drew in the Hospice. I moved from my tiny sketchbook to larger work. I was heavily inspired by Kerby Rosanes, a filipino illustrator. My work caught the attention of my friends and their friends. I got my first commission. I created work at my Dad’s bed side and spoke to him while I drew. I received several commissions at once. It got me thinking. On September 28th 2018, I said goodbye to my Dad.

When it started

rise & seek