Brian Sanders

As a child

I was born in London in 1937 and my earliest memories were of seeing a pigeon on a windowsill, and the Battle of Britain in the sky. I remember my father going out to fight fires and rescue people. He then went off to the war and did not come back until I was eight years old. My mother took my sister and me to the country where I was very happily brought up almost entirely by women. After the war, when my father returned home, we went back to London, which opened up a wonderful world of museums and art galleries to me. I have always wanted to be an artist and am still trying very hard. When I passed the eleven plus, the art teacher at the grammar school became my mentor. I owe him a great deal.

As an adult

My first job was in an advertising agency. I then joined Artist Partners as a junior and also took night classes in design for print. Having been on an Outward Bound Course, I volunteered for The Royal Marines for National Service. After training, I joined 45 Commando and found myself invading Suez where of course, when not fighting, I drew. Returning to civilian life after jumping from helicopters, landing craft and planes, I thought things might be boring but it never has been. My career has taken me into many walks of life - down coal mines, inside tanks and even with the police force on motorway patrols.

As an artist

Although I use all artistic media, if I had to choose one it would be watercolour. Over the years I have designed more than fifty sets of stamps, including a history of WWII in postage stamps together with a set of thirty-two ships. I have executed a number of book jackets including all of the Steinbeck novels and authors ranging from John Mortimer to C. S. Forster, Lord Montague's biography and the James Herriot books. Over the years there have been many illustrated books for Reader's Digest USA including several by Jack Higgins (The Eagle Has Landed) and together with Lizzie, my wife and partner, Exploring Unspoilt Britain for the National Trust. During the past decade we have worked together on a number of 3D paper projects such as The Edwardian Doll House, Alice in Wonderland (still to be published) and a Stone Henge Paper Kit, which we publish ourselves.

Things you didn't know about Brian Sanders

1. I love fishing and stroke the fishes nose before returning it to the water
2. I love to cook and have recently made seventeen pots of crab apple jelly
3. I have three sons. One of 46, one of 43 and one of 16 years who wants to be an actor
4. I used to collect apples and walnuts from the village when I was a little boy - and I still enjoy a naughty walnut!
5. I didn't taste a banana until I was eight
6. Favourite food - jellied eels. Favourite drink - Sarsaparilla or wine.
7. I enjoy making models from wood, paper and clay
8. I like taking my grandchildren to play in the park and reading to them
9. I hate only one food - parsnips, ugh!
10. My proudest possession is my Blue Peter badge