ROWING UP IN NEATH, in South Wales, Rory taught himself to paint by copying artworks in an old catalogue, the originals of which had been done by his late grandfather, Kenneth Hancock. His family encouraged him to explore his creativity and, after doing a foundation course in fine art at Swansea Art College, he did a degree in Illustration and Graphic Design at De Montfort University. After graduating, he came across an advert for a job as a studio painting assistant with a well-known artist in Devon. His time there helped him realise he could use his talent for art to make a living whilst it also gave him the confidence to leave after six years and pursue a solo
