Alistair Hoy, born in the West end of Glasgow 1959, enjoyed art like most school kids do.

Largely self taught, art was his passion throughout secondary school, and he had hoped to attend Glasgow School of Art (GSA) for a more formal education. However, coming from a large family, and rather humble surroundings, Art school was not a luxury the family could afford.

At 16 Alistair undertook an apprenticeship as a Toolmaker, which broadened his view point on materials and knowledge of how things are made. In the meantime his passion for art did not wane, and the next best thing to attending GSA on a full time basis was to attend their evening classes for Life Drawing (Figurative art) or Portraiture, both disciplines well covered by the GSA.