William Stockman has been painting since 1969. He was born in 1935 at Clapham Junction. Due to WW2 he was evacuated to Torquay. He attended Torquay Grammar school and excelled in ‘Art ‘taking the top grade and the art prize each year. He went into the RAF to do his National Service. He trained as a chef and did not get a flight until his last day. William enjoyed his free time painting pen and ink drawings of the cook-house and RAF life, and  painting memories of life in general.

His aunt encouraged him to sell paintings in his cafe and so William decided to come to Brixham harbourside and paint. he painted initially vivid orange scenes of Brixham. They were so popular he spent more time painting.

One day on the quay there was a disagreement between the artists and William’s paintings ended up in the harbour. A local businessman, Tony Capp, gave William a cup of tea and invited him to use a small room to store and paint his paintings. This room was to be the start of the gallery. William got the other artists together and formed the Strand Art Gallery.