Clifford the Biro Guy finds himself drawn to the ever-changing skyline

Cranes have become commonplace along the Leeds skyline. Beyond the balcony of Clifford Stead’s waterside apartment, the latest high-rise structure is under construction - another inspiration for the artist known as Biro Guy.

- by Harriet Sutton

The River Aire, the Leeds and Liverpool canal and railway tracks slice through the landscape, while his window offers far-reaching views of Elland Road.

For an artist, the panoramic vista is a visionary snapshot of his home city - a place where his love of art began.

“Since day one, I just drew through childhood. I am self-taught. I always had a pen in my hand and I always had a sketchpad.

“I always drew imaginary places and would draw a city that used elements of Leeds in it, but it would have other buildings I would see on TV.”

Illustrating Clifford’s point is the pen and paint drawing of Leeds and Prague, combining Leeds’s eclectic architecture with Prague's colourful baroque buildings.

“What influenced me, growing up in Leeds, was that all the Victorian buildings were being torn down, so it was all about the future. I was drawing these big tower blocks and now I see Leeds out of the window starting to look like the pictures I drew 20 years ago,” says Clifford.

Drawing was a hobby his parents encouraged him to pursue at Jacob Kramer Art College, Leeds. Clifford recalls his frustrations of having to surrender his beloved Biro to widen his artistic scope.