In Pictures: Artist from Chichester hits the city

Art in motion: Darren Patrick O’Mally capturing the small details of the high streets of Chichester.

Chichester plein air painter Darren Patrick O’Mally shares his story about how he got into art.

Darren Patrick O’Mally spent 30 years working in the NHS before deciding to take on painting as a full-time career. In the two years he’s been a professional artist, he’s done a combination of plein air painting, general commission and replica art.

He said: “My grandfather got me into painting when I was seven years old. He was a very talented artist. He got the oil and led paintings out for me at that young age. I don’t think they’d have kids painting with spirits or anything like that nowadays!

"After that time at the NHS I wanted to pack in the normal nine to five job. I really wanted to do something that I wanted. I’d already done some murals for restaurants, such as Muchos Nachos in Chichester and wanted to take the leap of faith and just go for it.”