Neil Bailey was born in Norwich in 1958 and attended St Edward’s School on scholarship. From 1977–81 he studied art, completing a Foundation course at Great Yarmouth College of Art and Design before graduating from Loughborough College of Art and Design. He met his wife Linda during his studies and later moved to East London. After working in sign-writing, he founded Griffin Signs in 1991, building a successful business with clients including Wetherspoons, Mitchells and Butlers and Young’s Brewery. Alongside commercial work, Neil maintained a distinctive artistic practice in painting, sculpture and printmaking, defined by rich colour, humour, pattern and a lifelong commitment to authenticity.