Iain was born in England on the 14th February 1969 but educated in South Africa, where he gained a Diploma in graphic design from the University of Cape Town. He initially worked at Saatchi & Saatchi advertising before moving on to other high profile agencies as an Art Director.

After working for over 12 years in advertising and winning numerous awards Iain decided to concentrate on his other passion, painting. Iain's first portrait ‘Mr. & Mrs. Gardiner’ in 2006 was a finalist for the BP Portrait Award, coming second with the visitors’ choice. His second painting ‘Kc Anne Gardiner’ was selected for the 2007 Royal Society of Portrait Painters annual exhibition, that same year he also had work selected for the Royal Miniature Societies annual exhibition winning the Anthony J Lester Art Critic Award and a Gold Bowl Honourable Mention.

Since then Iain has received the ‘Presidents Special Commendation’ for large work in 2009 and won the worlds most prestigious award for miniaturists ‘The Gold Memorial Bowl Award’ in 2010 for his painting ‘Reflection 4’. In 2011 Iain also received ‘The Mundy Sovereign Portrait Award’ for the best portrait and was bestowed the honour of being elected as a full RMS member.