Bert Pugh (1904-2001) sometimes known as Sullivan Pugh, born in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. When he was young his family moved to London, where he spent much of his life, joining the Chelsea Art Club. Pugh studied for three years at a building school, at 17 becoming an architectural and ecclesiastical draughtsman, church craftsman and woodcarver, afterwards designing bookplates and practising calligraphy. While owning a commercial art studio in the Strand, he spent evenings studying from life and painting and began to exhibit in the capital. Pugh also spent some time as a commercial artist with the advertising agency J. Walter Thompson.