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The following interview was conducted by Wendy Bardsley talking to The Artist. His watercolour and oil paintings have sold in the UK, Germany and America.

Where do you get your ideas for your paintings?

At the beginning I read about the old masters. I studied their pictures. Then I became interested in the human form. I always liked painting people. I came away from landscape and concentrated more on figurative as I felt I could tell more of a story using this genre.

Tell me more about your influences?

The painters I admire are Manet, Degas and Monet. Turner also influenced me because he painted in an age when there was no TV or cinema, and people found that they could escape their drab lives by looking at his wonderful colour.

What style do you use in your paintings?

I have been called a modern day impressionist.

What inspires you?

The human form - men and women. I like the light and shade on a body or a face. Colour comes before anything. I sacrifice detail for colour.

Is there a modern day artist who motivates you?

I'm inspired by the work of Ken Howard and Arthur Maderson because of their use of colour and free brush strokes.

Do you have a favourite painting?

Yes. It's an oil called, "Blue and Gold Kimono" by Ken Howard.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?

I will be painting and as long as I’m doing that, I'll be happy. I always set myself goals and try to achieve them. One was to exhibit at the Westminster Art Gallery, another was to show at the National Gallery.

And you succeeded?

Yes. And on one occasion Home and Antiques Magazine interviewed me and did a photo shoot.

Now you’ve had a taste of fame, do you crave for more?

I think it depends on how much you want something. If you want that something bad enough, you'll go for it.

You tell me you teach. Do you enjoy it?

Yes, but an artist will always yearn to do his own work. The upside of teaching is that I meet a lot of nice people - which is great.

Talk me through the process of creating a commission.

First of all I discipline myself to painting at least four hours a day. If I’m working in oil I have to wait for the first session to dry. After which, I can complete the picture in anything up to four sessions. Each commission I look on as a challenge. I feel an artist must be able to draw and paint anything, even subjects you’re not fond of. That way you improve. It’s all a learning process.

Have you thought about branching out into other forms of art?

I use a computer and scanner, which gives me access to all forms of art. I especially like to move things around and see what they look like before I work on canvas. A computer is an excellent tool for composition.

Which medium do you prefer to use?

I use strong, vibrant colours with oil. With watercolour I achieve transparency. They both serve their purpose. Back in the days of the old masters they only ever used watercolour for their sketches and the finished painting was always in oil. That is, until Turner took watercolour a step further.

What’s your state of mind when painting?

Euphoric - you flip over to the other side of your brain. The creativity gives you a real high. I feel very lucky to have that feeling every day. In the end, the picture paints itself.

How do you cope in the real world?

I delegate to the rest of the household and this seems to work. My painting always comes first. I organise my life around art, not the other way round.

What advice do you have for the aspiring artist?

The advice I would give to anyone, is set your goals. Know where you are going. Nobody has the answers except you. Don't be shaken from your path and never lose sight of those goals.

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