Steve sets the scene for his first art show (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Steve sets the scene for his first art show

AN artist whose work has been seen by millions of people without them ever knowing it is holding his first exhibition in Shipston.

Steve Mitchell, who lives on the edge of the Stour Valley in Radway, has worked all his life painting sets for television and film.

Among the blockbusters graced with his handiwork are Cry Freedom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Saving Private Ryan, Batman and the first two Harry Potter movies.

Although the 51-year-old painter has always been content to allow his work to remain largely anonymous, he has now decided to put some of his work on show.

The venue for his exhibition is the Where I Fell In Love Gallery, which was set up by Bruno Dauvin and Fiona Hufton following a case of 'love at first sight'.

The premises on the Shambles was being run by Bruno as La Blainvillaise French restaurant when Fiona walked in as a customer.

"It is where we fell in love and it changed our lives," said Fiona. Within months the couple had decided to go into business together and celebrate their meeting in the name of their new gallery.

Mr Mitchell said it was the ideal place to hold his first exhibition, which features paintings up to ten feet across. "This is about dipping my toe in the water to see if people are interested and like them.

"Painting is the only thing I've ever wanted to do. Every penny I've ever earned has been from painting since I left college.

"Unless you live in a cave on the Outer Hebrides you will have seen my work - but all of it has been destroyed and burned and thrown away. This is the first time I've put my painting on show for public consumption."

After graduating in fine art from Leicester Art College, Mr Mitchell became a trainee scenic artist at BBC Pebble Mill in Birmingham and worked on such shows as Boys From the Black Stuff, All Creatures Great and Small and Great Expectations.

Over the years since he has worked on more than 400 adverts and about 80 feature films.

Bruno said he was delighted to be exhibiting the artist's first signed paintings. "We're delighted that Steve chose us for his first ever public show. It's amazing to think that so many people have seen his work without even realising it."

The next event at the gallery will be the first Shipston Pottery and Ceramics Festival over the weekend of May 28-29.

The event will feature internationally-renowned artists showing off their skills at the gallery and giving a series of talks about their craft. The festival will also feature evening performances by a Celtic band.

The event will also raise funds for Shipston Home Nursing, with a raffle featuring works donated by each of the artists. Tickets, at £1, are available from the gallery.

For more information about both the shows, visit www.whereifellinlovegallery.com.