Tony was born in Wyndham, Southland and has been painting from an early age encouraged by his parents who were both artistic. He counts New Zealand artists like Douglas Badcock, Brian Holiday and Peter Beadle, amongst others, as his influences. Tony’s early years as an artist were spent painting in oils, but in his mid-twenties whilst living in Dunedin he was exposed to watercolour artists like Roy Dickinson, Stan Hopkins, and Austin Deans. Now retired and living in Oturehua in the Ida Valley, Maniototo, Tony takes every opportunity to paint outdoors (plein air) in both mediums. He also spends time tutoring, especially in plein air painting. Tony tutors at different Art Groups around the South Island and is one of the regular artists tutoring at 'The Drawing Room’ in Christchurch.