Simon works from his home in Seaton, Devon. He was always keen to become an artist since he was a toddler.

The family business was F. Speed and Sons which specialised in building and decorating. The company was set up in Midsomer Norton for the benefit of Arthur Speed (Simon’s Grandfather) who returned from the trenches of the First World War. Arthur was a talented artist who painted many of the Pub Signs in the Midsomer Norton area.

The sign writers’ workshop was Simon’s favourite port of call; where he would sit and watch them mix their paints and breathe in the smells of linseed oil and turpentine. Various apprentices all passed through those workshops. Even though signs were not necessarily art, eventually all the apprentices became artists.

When Simon originally left School he was due to take up a place at Taunton Art College to do a Foundation year, prior to a Teaching Degree in Art. He was lucky enough to be a good footballer and in The England Youth Football trials at the time. It was a choice between foundation year art or football, so he chose football. He played Professional Football until he was 18. In his free time away from training, he took a sign writing course at Bath Technical College.

His parents were keen he completed his education. A year later he took up a place at College on Wimbledon Common for a London University degree. He studied there for his Art teaching Bachelor of Education. He played part time football to subsidise his college education. He took up a teaching job in Southampton and played for Eastleigh F.C. and a number of other clubs between Somerset, Hampshire and Sussex.

When he left his teaching job he started as an artist but the money did not support his family so he fell back to his signwriting skills to make up the deficit. He also carried out .....property renovation, screen print machinery manufacture, commercial embroidery, garment printing, plus anything else he could turn his hand to make a shilling. He is now happily retired and selling his prints cards and books in the Charity Phone Box in Seaton Hole, Devon.