Ray Goldsbrough was born in Sunderland in 1942 and studied art at the Sunderland School of Art and Industrial Design. He worked as a graphic artist and illustrator for nearly 30 years until he took the decision to paint professionally full-time.


The development of his career as an Artist has led to painting becoming a way of life for Ray, keeping him extremely busy with commissions for his originals. His work is mainly in watercolour and he specialises in capturing great sporting moments in motor racing. His meticulous and exacting style brings the spectacle of the track to life and has earned him an enviable reputation in the world of motor sport art.


In 1997, Ray was accepted as a full member of The Guild of Motoring Artists, a tribute this highly gifted artist richly deserved.


Ray’s publishing career began in 1995 when Solomon & Whitehead published two Limited Edition Prints, ‘Red Mist Foggy’ depicting World Superbike Champion Carl Fogarty on the Ducati and ‘Dancing on Gravel’ showing World Rally Driving Champion Colin McRae in the Subaru.


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


Eventually, I 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 my portfolio, I 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 I now.


About 11 years ago, I was offered the opportunity to take early retirement - computers cannot take the place of a drawing board and paintbrush! So I decided to ‘go it alone’ and pursue what had been a hobby and turn it into a career.


At first, I 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 me. A copy of a picture of Jim Clark, which I 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 I was approached by Solomon & Whitehead who asked me 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 I have used is gouache (watercolour) - I have not dared to venture away from the tried and tested materials that I was brought up with. I feel that over the last seven years, my style has changed (for the better, I hope) and that I have become more daring with the use of more vibrant colour, which is not lost in the publishing processes.


I enjoy the challenges that are now coming my way, either for S&W commercially, or in painting for family and friends. I enjoy the research involved, particularly for the local paintings I am 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 me of the pleasures in producing work involving both of these rivers in their industrial heyday.


I hope I can further improve my style without changing it. Why try to fix it, if it ain’t broken!