Niall was born in March 1961. He studied at Duncan of Jordanstone Colege of Art in Dundee, graduating in 1986 with a BA Hons in Drawing and Painting. He also incorporated a year of ceramics and sculpture within his degree – allowing him to explore and develop his love of 3-D texture which is still evident in his paintings today.
He now lives and works in Midlothian, but the North West coast of Scotland, particularly Ardnamurchan has been a constant focus of interest to him. The area is so changeable in its moods and its unlimited source of subject matter will always lure him to return. Ardnamurchan is an area he has returned to on many occasions, trying to reflect it’s remoteness but also the endearing quality of tranquillity. It is a special place not only for the artist but his family as well.
However, he says:

“Recently l have been focusing my attention towards the east coast of Scotland – namely North Berwick and the surrounding shores. I have found a more simplified approach to treating the subject matter looking at the broad areas of colour which represent the changing mood of the coastline. The introduction of materials also within my painting has given me a new vigour towards the work. I am beginning to focus on the relationship of how colour mood and movement all combine to encapsulate an atmospheric effect.”
The most significant artistic influences on his paintings are mostly Scottish notably artist such as William MacTaggart, William Johnstone, Anne Redpath, William Gillies and the most strongest of them all which influenced his work the most is Joan Eardley.