Born and raised in Cleethorpes, Dale loved art in school, but it wasn’t until 20 years later at the age 36 when he enrolled on his first art course. He studied at Wintringham, the School of Art in Eleanor Street, and at the Hull School of Art and Design where, after six years of part-time study while working full-time, he gained his B.A. Hons Degree in Fine Art. Dale carefully refined his craft and discovered his distinctive contemporary artistic style.

For 10 years, Dale was the resident artist at Grimsby’s Abbey Walk Gallery, up until its closure. He moved his work to the New Street Studios in Grimsby Town Centre, where he still paints today, as well as at his latest studio space in the historic heart of Grimsby Docks, the Kasbah. 

With the continuing redevelopment of the Kasbah as a creative space, Dale has become ABP’s official resident artist of the Docks, and will remain so for the next two years. He is currently working on pieces that will feature in an upcoming exhibition depicting the past, present, and future of the Port of Grimsby. 

Much of Dale’s inspiration derives from the town’s historic fishing industry, saying: “I have always painted the Docks, using old black and white photos and finding historic images and information on the internet or from local people. Most of the population around here have worked on the docks, or have family who have worked on the docks, and people enjoy reminiscing about it.