A FORMER construction worker has built a new career as an artist.

       James Howe, 41, spent 20 years balancing on building site scaffolding planks.

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       Former builder James Howe uses scaffold planks to create black and white images including Sir Winston Churchill Credit: Caters

       Now he uses them to create black and white images including Sir Winston Churchill, Freddie Mercury, Liam Gallagher, Mike Tyson and NHS hero Capt Sir Tom Moore.

       James, of Skegness, Lincs, started by copying a Banksy print ten years ago while recovering from an injury.

       He then took up art full-time after selling a Liam Gallagher picture during lockdown.

       James said: “I’ve never had any lessons or studied art.

       "I’m completely self-taught.

       “I love painting on wood and I get all my boards from a local company, which have dents, corners/edges broken, grind marks and rust marks.

       “It’s so nice being able to do something I love and be home every night to spend time with my kids.”

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       James started by copying a Banksy print ten years ago while recovering from an injury Credit: Caters 6

       James, pictured with his Mike Tyson work, said: 'I’ve never had any lessons or studied art. I’m completely self-taught' Credit: Caters 6

       James, pictured with his version of Sir Tom Moore, took up art full-time after selling a Liam Gallagher picture during lockdown Credit: Caters 6

       James said: 'I love painting on wood and I get all my boards from a local company, which have dents, corners/edges broken, grind marks and rust marks' Credit: Caters 6

       James added: 'It’s so nice being able to do something I love and be home every night to spend time with my kids' - pictured rock legend Freddie Mercury Credit: Caters

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