Paul Mirfin, Yorkshire Railway Man and Oil Painter

Personal Journey & Beginnings
Before picking up a brush at 47, did you have any creative background or interest in art?

Both my parents were hobby artists, my father went to art school in Sheffield for a short while, but my mother used to sit myself and my siblings at the kitchen table on Saturday mornings and we would all draw together.  Growing up I was always more interested in learning instruments and playing in bands and the guitar at my local church, then sketching portraits whilst the sermon was being taken.

What was the moment or inspiration that made you decide to start painting?

The moment I wanted to start painting was during the first Lockdown as my band The Paul Mirfin Band could not tour or gig anymore, we had a tour booked for Germany but unfortunately it was cancelled, so my creativity felt stuck.  I saw a few artists online and thought it would be a opportunity to express myself in a new way, little did I know it would change my life.

How did painting help you with anxiety, and what role does it continue to play in your well-being?

I was diagnosed with anxiety at the start of the lockdowns, due to the lockdown itself, losing my mother to pancreatic cancer and moving home, I realized very quickly that when I painted with my oils time would slip by, I remember my wife making me a cup of coffee and because I was so engrossed in painting the coffee went cold! This was a first for me as I love coffee and never leave it to go cold. To this day when I paint I feel alive, the textures of oil and the movement you get with it is so addictive and any anxiety goes away, the hours will pass by so quickly, plus I get more time to be with my dog Mojo as he likes to sit at the base of my easel.

Leeds Gantry 

Artistic Development & Style

What drew you to painting railway views, and how did your career as a railwayman influence your work?

I have been a train conductor for 22 years based at Harrogate in North Yorkshire. I get to see an ever-changing view from my cab all day.  I wanted to paint railway art from my perspective and beautiful views myself and passengers see every day. I especially enjoy painting signal boxes, viaducts and other railway infrastructure.

Why did you choose oils as your medium? Have you experimented with others?

I chose oils as my medium rather naively, because I had never painted before so I looked up ' what did the masters use?' Turner, Van Gogh, Constable etc. And I am still learning different ways to use oils and the mediums, I have never painted with any other medium.

How would you describe your artistic style? Has it evolved since you first started?

My artistic style has grown and shifted many times in these few years as I love trying all sorts of subjects, when I started my paintings were much brighter and bolder mainly using brushes, then I moved onto using palette knifes to make thick textures of oil on the canvas. My art is mostly impressionism but I am now enjoying trying different ways of placing the oil onto canvas using different tools.

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Recognition & Success
How did it feel when your art started selling worldwide? Were you surprised by the response?

When I started painting railway scenes, I decided to put my first painting on Facebook and said it was my new 'Lockdown project',  I never expected to sell it, but it had a lot of attention from railway enthusiasts and the picture of a viaduct sold in 5 minutes, paintings started to sell fast and even abroad to Alaska, Europe and Africa. I was shocked at the response to my work.

Can you share the story behind your commission for King Charles III? How did it come about?

The commission for King Charles III was given to me by an old school friend David Palmer who liked my art, they went to Gordonstoun at the same time. The commission was to paint an oak tree which then Prince Charles planted years ago, David saw the tree being planted years ago.  The tree is in Harrogate town centre close to Bettys Tea Rooms. David had the painting framed and it was sent by courier from the Marriott Hotel in Leeds to Royal residence Clarence House in London.

What was it like to see your work featured on BBC Look North?

When I heard Look North wanted to do a feature on the story I was very excited but nervous but the Look North team were very supportive, they asked me to feature again a year later to be a judge for the best photography competition for their BBC Children In Need Calendar, which I gladly did.

Look North

Challenges & Lessons
Have you faced any challenges in transitioning from railwayman to professional artist?

Transitioning from fulltime railway man to artist was a nerve-racking thing in some ways but exciting in others, but it felt the right timing. I was concerned about my earning or a different way of earning, not having a lump of money go into my bank at the end of the month but I just knew I had to try or I would regret it, the best move I've ever made it turned out by taking that step of faith.

What has been the most rewarding moment in your artistic journey so far?

The most rewarding moments I get are when I see a client's eyes light up or smile at my art and they send me a photograph of the piece on their wall. A separate rewarding story was that I was commissioned to paint a picture for a TV celebrity Amar Latiff who is blind, using thick textures of oil he could feel the painting as I described where his fingers were on the picture, it meant a lot to him and me and now he is a good friend.

Friend TV celebrity Amar Latiff

If you could give advice to others who might be considering starting art later in life, what would it be?

If you are thinking of starting art later in life like me is that it is rewarding on so many levels and actually so important for our culture and education.  personally, it is a healer in many ways. Go for it!

Future Plans
What are your goals as an artist moving forward? Any new projects or exhibitions planned?

My goals moving forward are to keep pushing myself with art, I have just moved to a large studio on the edge of my town so I can create larger pieces,  I have more ' meet the artist' shows this year, where I paint and talk to a crowd of people, my last few have been sold out. I was honored to be invited to be Artist in Residence in a stately home in the lake district this year so I am hoping to do more of those as well as more exhibitions.

Do you have a dream commission or subject you’d love to paint?

Although I paint most subjects my dream commission would be to paint a railway piece for Michael Portillo as I really enjoy his TV programs about railway journeys and I know he loves rail travel.

Find out more about Paul's work by visiting her website, Instagram or YouTube account or