Muir Hewitt
An old children's annual with designs by British illustrator Anne Anderson, which was handed down to me, was initially behind my love of the flowing, linear style of much English Art Deco pottery and in particular the work of Clarice Cliff.

Anne Anderson's sinuous lines and simplified stylised work led me on to an interest in the pre-war work of Walt Disney which was influenced by the work of European artists and illustrators.

A Christmas present of Dan Klein's book on Art Deco, given to me by a favourite uncle and aunt when I was seventeen, intensified my interest in the period.

Four years later, whilst at college in Wolverhampton, studying for my Graphic Design degree, I saw the Disney-esque House and Bridge design poster for the first Clarice Cliff book published by L'Odeon which became the catalyst for my enduring passion for all aspects of Art Deco and my every spare moment was spent searching for pieces of pottery from this era.

Eventually my obsession became my occupation when in 1982 I opened my shop at the Halifax Antiques Centre.

25 years later in July 2007 I moved out of Halifax Antiques Centre ( which closed down on July 7th 2007 ) , and into my current location at the refurbished textile mill Redbrick Mill , 218 Bradford Road , Batley.


Age Of Jazz Lingers On
The painting at the top of this page is a portrait of me by Jane Lewis entitled Age Of Jazz Lingers On. It was hung in the National Portrait Gallery as part of their BP Portrait awards in 1991!