I have a fond memory of Harold Riley I would like to share.

When I was a 14 year old pupil at the wonderful High School of Art, my school friend Maureen who lived in Harpurhey told me of a Saturday art class at Queens Park, held each Saturday and invited me to go along with her.

The main tutor was none other than Mr Harold Riley, who, we had heard, knew Mr Lowry, the famous Salford painter whose work we admired.

I was shy at first, but soon found common ground with Mr Riley through a shared passion for urban surroundings – back streets, alleyways, old churches etc. He encouraged me to keep a sketchbook and was full of praise for its contents, especially where I’d drawn from life. Some of those sketches were developed into paintings on boards, with his patient tutoring.

I attended for as long as I could, but reality caught up with me and I needed a Saturday job!

After sixth form, I was accepted at a London art college where I was led down routes other than Salford townscapes, but once I’d graduated and returned to my home city, I soon re-discovered my artist identity, the same one Harold helped to nurture in my formative years.

I am very proud of my art heritage, that is, Vallette taught Lowry who mentored Harold, who tutored me!

I will be eternally grateful to the modest, patient and inspiring Mr Riley who came along at a crucial time in my artistic development and helped to shape me.

Now 77 years old, I still paint urban themes and still have great admiration for Harold  Riley. May his works continue to give pleasure to the people of Salford and beyond.

The image is of the spontaneous sketches I make when travelling on the tram or bus, which are reminiscent of Mr Riley’s impromptu drawings when meeting his public!

I draw in black ballpoint pen in a little book for about 20 minutes each, then add colour at home with watercolour pencils.