Ray Goldsbrough Biography

Ray Goldsbrough as a youngster, he found that he could draw quite naturally, and that by enhancing schoolwork with sketches helped him get better marks in some subjects. Ray spent a lot of his free time doing pencil sketches of various things and by the age of 13, his art teacher at school, who had been impressed by his artistic flair, helped him get into Sunderland Art College as a day- release student.

Eventually, Ray Goldsbrough went on to study full-time at the college, initially on a year's general studies course, then on to a 3-year Graphic Art course, more commonly known then, as Commercial Art.

On leaving college with his portfolio, Ray Goldsbrough was employed by one of the biggest print firms in Newcastle and was taught the finer aspects of commercial art, lettering, logos, finished art and illustrations - a great foundation for the work he now do for S&W.

About 11 years ago, Ray Goldsbrough was offered the opportunity to take early retirement - computers cannot take the place of a drawing board and paintbrush! So Ray decided to 'go it alone' and pursue what had been a hobby and turn it into a career. At first, Ray Goldsbrough completed work mainly for family and friends, but an ex-colleague who was a follower of Motorsport, and had seen a gap in the market of motor racing art, approached him. A copy of a picture of Jim Clark, which Ray had been commissioned to paint was sent to the Motorsport magazine with a press release and this led to various commissions and exhibiting work at various motor sport events.

In 1995 Ray Goldsbrough was approached by Solomon & Whitehead who asked him to produce a painting of Carl Fogarty for publication, and the rest as they say, is history. Some ten Limited Editions have been published in the 'Foggy' series and all have sold out.

The only medium Ray Goldsbrough has used is gouache (watercolour) - he has not dared to venture away from the tried and tested materials that Ray was brought up with. he feel that over the last seven years, his style has changed (for the better, he hope) and that he have become more daring with the use of more vibrant colour, which is not lost in the publishing processes.

Ray Goldsbrough enjoys the challenges that are now coming his way, either for S&W commercially, or in painting for family and friends. He enjoyed the research involved, particularly for the local paintings he is commissioned to do. Being brought up in Sunderland when ship-building dominated the banks of the Wear (and the Tyne), looking at the old Wearside & Tyneside has reminded him of the pleasures in producing work involving both of these rivers in their industrial heyday.

Ray Goldsbrough hopes he can further improve his style without changing it. Why try to fix it, if it ain't broken!

This artists page is under construction and prints will follow soon. 

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