Most of my work involves some sort of fantasy element with the images coming from my imagination. Described by an artist friend as surreal, slightly dreamlike paintings capturing an old fashioned feeling of peace and well-being. Some images may be connected with reality or a story or legend. Usually my pictures are not any real place or of real events but usually involve painting a picture that conveys a story, atmosphere and mood, a feeling of being there, may be as an observer. I am inspired by many sorts of films, book illustrations, Pre-Raphaelite style paintings and many things I see in the real world with some things looking like they should come from a fantasy. I like to create detail in my paintings where I think there should be detail but I'm also really inspired by some impressionist paintings and abstracts. I work with acrylics on canvas or board and new digital media painting. In other work I use photo-montage techniques to create photographic composite images. Tony Lilley is a member of The Bury St Edmunds Art Society