Allan was born in Cheshunt and grew up in Birmingham where he embarked on his career as an engineer, most recently as Engineering & Facilities Manager of a pharmaceutical company.

Allan has brought an engineer’s eye to his more draughtsman-like fantasies, nicknamed Geo-Doodles. 

He had always enjoyed art (both seeing and doing), but only in recent years has he picked up his paints and brushes as a committed, if hitherto part-time, artist. He prefers to work with acrylic or watercolours. 

Especially popular is Allan’s occasional series of wrecked and overgrown boats: “Abandoned…Reclaimed”. 

Allan has lived in Colchester with his wife Liz Mullen since 2015. The proximity of Mersea Island soon proved an inspiration, but so have other watery locations, from the Firth of Clyde to Norfolk, Northumbria and Northern Ireland. 

In recent years he has benefitted from the support of artists Angella Horner (founder of CO3 Gallery) and of Sally Delaney – whose life drawing classes at Firstsite also helped to improve his techniques and expand his horizons.

Grateful thanks also go to Red Lion Books which has hosted two of Allan’s small exhibitions in its basement gallery. 

21.01.2022