A SELF-TAUGHT artist will exhibit his work for the first time next year.

Site manager Gavin Bake turned his hand to art after his sketch of favourite musician Bobby Womack was widely admired online.

His profile grew quickly after publishing the sketch and the Darlington man soon began to receive a wide range of commissions.

He now has an order book full until Christmas and is preparing for his first exhibition.

Mr Bake’s inaugural show will take place at Newton Aycliffe’s Greenfields Community and Arts Centre next June.

It will include a variety of celebrity and family portraits and images inspired by the architecture and well-known buildings of the North-East.

Mr Bake, who is 55 and works for BOC Gases in Stockton, said: “I’ve studied and practiced over the last four years and am happy enough with my art to exhibit it.

“It has been hard work but very satisfying and I’m now at the stage where I can make a living from it.”

For more information, visit Gav Bake Art on Facebook.