I am 57 years old and I have been painting and drawing since I was a child. I left home at 16 and worked at various office and factory jobs until I was 21 when I was accepted as a student at Croydon Art College. I left during thr first spring term and six months later ai was admitted to the Farnborough psychiatric unit. I became a revolving door patient spending time in hospitals in the south east until I was referred to a rehabilitation ward at Stonehouse hospital. I was discharged into the community. Though I was discouraged from painting and drawing in the old hospitals I believe my artwork has helped me keep out of the hospitals by occupying my mind and diverting my attention away from my illness. My pictures are of the old hospitals, of life in the community, and more recently, concerned with global warming and it's effect on the environment.