Deaf artist Tim Reedy to exhibit cartoons as part of E17 Art Trail

Tim Reedy, of Brettenham Road, Walthamstow uses felt tips to create bright and bold cartoons of dogs, deer and cats that poke fun at everyday life.

The cartoonist is completely deaf in one ear after he contracted Meningitis as a four-year-old but with the use of a hearing aid and lip reading he can communicate verbally.

The 42-year-old said: "I wasn’t really aware of my hearing going, it was so gradual and I was young.

“Being deaf now doesn’t affect my work and I don’t use my disability to make any political point.

“If you’re deaf, have a disability, or you're from an ethnic minority you are always going to deal with barriers.

“It is how you face those barriers. Sometimes you just have to pick yourself up get back on the saddle and hope that another opportunity comes along."

“If you can draw a circle, then you can draw. The moment you put your pen to paper you can draw.

“You just need to get the basics and then you can show your personality.”

One of Tim Reedy's pieces entitled Mousehunting Workshop

Mr Reedy started drawing professionally two years ago and will take part in this year’s E17 Art Trail that sees 250 exhibitions pop over all over Walthamstow between May 30 and June 14.

“Last year I was totally inspired by how much time people put into each piece. You could really see how hard the local artists have worked to master their own technique,” he said.

“Drawing has been a hobby for me since I was five. I used to copy pictures out of all my favourite comics until I ran out of them, then I had to create my own characters.

“My father always uses a lot of puns so I think that is where I get my sense of humour from."

"My dream is to one day be on display at the Tate Modern, but I don't think they would get most of my jokes."

His work Not Another Exhibition About Cats will be exhibiting 13 pieces at Debbie Bliss Home, 36 Orford Road from May 30 to June 14 as part of the E17 art trail.