The Tea Break

Born into an artistic family, Lee discovered his love of painting at an early age. His father Alan, a prominent and highly decorated artist himself, taught Lee how to work with oils as a child and he went on to study at Batley Art College.

After graduating in 1988, Lee moved into a career as a successful commercial illustrator and cartoonist working on greeting cards, calendars, and jigsaws, and alongside that had many oil paintings published as limited-edition prints.

Having initially concentrated on portraiture, Lee developed a passion for figurative work. Capturing fleeting moments in time and the subtle interactions between people, Lee depicts the friction, affection, and occasional absurdity present in our everyday lives. And with perhaps a nod to his cartoonist work, there is often a gentle humour present, lending an endearing charm to any given scene.

Today, Lee’s work hangs in collections around the world, with locations including the offices of the Law Society in London. Married with three children, Lee lives and works near Barnard Castle in Country Durham. The bustling market town serves as an excellent platform for people watching, providing Lee with a wealth of inspiration for his next painting.