BRIGHT spark David Lyne is using his welding skills to shape a new career for himself.

David, 45, -year-old welder and his partner Louise Smith, 36, have transformed her bookshop into an new art gallery named Witzend to display his work.

Welder David, from Stalybridge, turned to art about 18 months ago as a form of therapy as he battled to cope with divorce and the death of his father.

His first ever exhibition, at the People’s Gallery – featuring metal sculptures and paintings – won rave reviews. It convinced him he could make a full-time a career out of it.

David’s paintings and sculptures now sell for prices ranging from £20 to £900.

His most striking creation is a life-size metal alien and he is currently working on a 6ft sculpture of a pole dancer.

Now with Louise’s backing they have converted her shop on Trinity Street, Stalybridge, into a new gallery to show case David’s work alongside that of other artists.

Therapeutic

He said: “With everything I was going through I hit the bottle and had been for counselling, but it didn’t help.

“Steve Ollernshaw from the People’s Gallery encouraged me to start painting again – I hadn’t done any since school.

“I jumped in with both feet, really enjoyed it and found it very therapeutic.

“When I did the first exhibition, the comments from other artists were was very encouraging and getting that acknowledgement inspired me.

“I eventually hope to give up welding, which I still have to do for now to keep the money coming in, and I’ll use the gallery to exhibit my work. It’ll also be open to other artists who wish to contact us.

“I’d certainly encourage anyone going through a rough time to try art. It’s amazing how something positive and creative can make you feel.”

Louise said: “I’ve had the shop for two years, but I believe in David that so much I wanted to support him and reopen as a gallery.

“I have real belief in his talent and it is going to be fantastic. Everyone is very enthusiastic about it.”

Established artists displaying their work at Witzend include Lizzie Van Dottie – aunt of former Hear’Say and Dancing on Ice star singer Suzanne Shaw – Gordon Clegg and Chris Cyprus.