Michael Whittlesea was born in 1938 in London. He attended the Harrow School of Art and then worked for Crawford's Advertising Agency and for IPC Magazines. He now works as a painter and book illustrator. Mr Whittlesea regularly exhibited at the RA Summer Exhibitions and with the New English Art Club. In 1983, he had a one-man show at the Katherine House Gallery in Marlborough. More recently, he has exhibited his work in the Singer Friedlander/ Sunday Times watercolour exhibition. Mr Whittlesea's work has earned him several awards, including first prize at the "Spirit of the Sea" exhibition at Bury Art Gallery, and an award from the Worshipful Company of Painter-Stainers. He works mainly in oil, watercolour and charcoal on paper. His subjects tend to be people and landscapes.