Artist Darren on track to capture 2012 stars

Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), June 24, 2009

HUDDERSFIELD artist Darren Baker has captured some of Britain's top footballers and even royalty on canvas.

But now he has a new goal - creating portraits of Olympic champions.

Baker, 33, has been commissioned by Lloyds TSB - one of the London 2012 sponsors - to capture many of the British stars from Beijing 2008 and those hoping for glory in three years time.

It means a hectic lifestyle for the man, who also has to fit in more sittings for a commissioned portrait of the Queen this summer.

He said: "Unless you are familiar with my work, the first reaction is that it is a photograph - but that is pretty good because people look closer, they realise it is a painting and it draws them in." His career started with a pounds 1,500 loan, a marketing grant and a business mentor from The Prince's Trust, "which got me out of my mum and dad's house and got me a start", he said.

"I was 22 and a bit raw." Now he has a very busy schedule ahead.

"First there is the planning for his wedding in September, his ongoing general portfolio, his growing Olympic work and the portrait of the Queen for her 85th birthday in 2011..

He said: "The spotlight on the Games is absolutely immense, but there is no more pressure on me than the one that I put on myself and that is around the work I deem worthy or that deserves to be exhibited.

"I am quite a perfectionist. I will be a nervous wreck by 2012." Baker hails from Bradford Art College. Critics describe him as one of the country's leading classical realist painters..

CAPTION(S):

* CHALLENGE: Darren Baker with some of his work