Ian holds a Certificate of Art from Bendigo School of Mines, a Trained Technical Teachers Certificate from the Technical Teachers College, Melbourne, and a Diploma of Art (Graphic Design from Caulfield Institute of Technology, Melbourne.

Ian worked as an Advertising artist in Melbourne (1955-6) and in Toronto, Canada (1966-9). He taught Art in Victorian secondary schools and was Head of Arts, Kingswood College, Box Hill (1975-90).

Ian's early work was mainly abstract, in oils and watercolour. His current style is realism and the preferred medium, watercolour. His preferred subjects are seascapes, streetscapes, interesting buildings, boats, reflections in water, and candid views of people. He tries to capture the mood of the moment, the "instant", as one might chance upon it. Important also is the play of light upon the subject. He photographs his subject, composing the picture through the viewfinder. Changes can then be made in the drawing up and painting in his studio on the Mornington Peninsula.

Ian's influences are many and varied, but mainly late 19th century and 20th century artists such as Cezanne, Degas, Klee, Francis Bacon, David Hockney, Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper, Andrew Wyeth, Norman Rockwell, Arthur Boyd, Fred Williams, Jeffrey Smart.

Ian has won awards at:

• Sorrento Rotary Art Show 2003
• Dromana Autumn Art Show 1998
• Dromana Rotary Art Show 2002, 2003, 2006 (best water colour), 2007
• Mount View Glen Waverley Art Show 1995, 2003, 2005
• Mount Martha Community Arts Show 2006 (best in show, best water colour)
• Rye Art Show - Best Picture (Peoples Choice)

He is currently represented at Aspects Gallery Blairgowrie, Original Oz Gallery Mt Martha, White Hill Gallery Dromana/Red Hill and at Rosebud Country Club.