RUMMINGS, Michael, M.S.A.I.

Michael lived mainly in and around Bristol and North Somerset. He was educated at Bristol Technical School, Building Department. His ambition to become an architect, however, was not to be, but a second ambition was realised when at age 17 he was accepted for training as a graphic designer with a Bristol printing company, which meant a 5 year apprenticeship. Concurrently with this and afterwards he studied graphic design, illustration and life drawing at the West of England College of Art. Graphic abilities gained him two more appointments in the design studios of larger printing and packaging companies E. S. & A. Robinson and Mardon Son & Hall.

In 1994 Michael started working freelance and, during that time, specialised in architectural illustration and designs for novelty metal box printing as well as graphics. Designs accepted included those for Mars, Mackintosh, BAT, Wimpey Homes, Lovell Homes, Barratts, Hydro Research and Development, Harrods, Maceys of New York, the Savoy Hotel and Barclays Bank.

As an artist member of Bristol Savages, he exhibited 4 times at the RWA and occasionally held one-man exhibitions, including one in Clevedon`s twin town Ettlingen in West Germany. He has taught art in further education. Other interests, which his wife, Gill, mostly shared, included acting, singing and making scenery, speaking French and German, and constructive gardening. He had 3 children and 4 grandchildren. (R. S. B.)

Michael Rummings died in August 2011.