Harry French was born in the Rossendale Valley, Lancashire uk 1943. He studied art at Bolton College of Art and design 1958-63. This long period of study enabled him to be theoretically and practically involved in most art and design media. During these informative years there was a shift from traditional art education to the basic design courses which gave him an insight into the past, present and future skills needed for young artists, designers and craftspersons. His final course in art was illustration before studiyng art education at Leeds University (1963-4) These varied skills enabled him to be engaged in all phases of education. His research projects are housed in the National arts education achive at Leeds University. In 1964 he arrived in the city of Lincoln, UK and has not seen any good reason to move away. He lives in a village three miles away with his wife Regina. She was born in Schleswig Holstein, Germany and moved to South Yorkshire as a child. Harry’s introduction to the German family and the artists of Ost Holstein led to new influences of his work particularly German Expressionism. A major theme of his work evolves around the Baltic Sea from Hamburg to the Island of Fehmarn. Since the reunification of Germany he has had access to all the major galleries and museums in Berlin and Potsdam. In 2002 he retired from teaching and moved into a joint studio with artist Linda Durance to specialise in printmaking and occasional workshops / artist in residence schemes.