I grew up in central Glasgow, back when those wonderful tenements were still black with soot. For myself and my friends the city felt like one enormous playground. What kid doesn't want to explore derelict factories or stumble through abandoned railway tunnels? 

Art was always there from a young age in the shape of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. How lucky I was to have this amazing place so close to home. During my later school years it was the obvious place to escape to when the thought of double Geography just didn't appeal.

Although not a student there myself, for years the Glasgow School of Art was very central to my life. Everyone I knew - friends and flatmates - all seemed to be connected somehow. Getting into the art school dances at the Victoria Café was always a Friday night priority. Back then you could easily access the world-famous Mackintosh building and I have many cherished memories from that time of wandering the hallways and visiting the degree shows.

I left Glasgow for London in 1990 initially working at HMV for a few years before assisting an excellent photographer. Lots of long days at his studio in Farringdon and plenty of interesting location work gave me a glimpse into another aspect of the art world. One of the main clients was Saatchi and Saatchi where coincidentally I would end up working years later as a chef.