A BUILDER from Rubery has turned to art after realising his hidden potiental.

James Bowkett, aged 31, from New Road has been drawing portraits for 15 years but only recently started creating huge murals.

James said: “This is a career which I have kept under wraps for years because of a low self belief. I realised this is a talent I have and to think I am not using it is a waste.

His creations include a large yellow Transformer, Winnie the Pooh, Lara Croft, a packet of Doritos crisps and a pint of larger.

He creates large painting on the walls of his girlfriends home and through doing so is slowing building up a portfolio of work.

James added: “I just did art at GCSE and I only got a C because then I wasn’t really interested in studying and it did really involve research. “I just didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life after school.”

He went on to study chemistry and biology at A-level but realised he had little interest in the subjects.

James added: “Everyone loves my work and many are amazed by it. My aim is to make a career from my art and to give the community and local schools, lasting pieces of art that will catch the eyes and maybe drop some jaws.

“I like to see peoples’ reactions to it. The more of a challenge the better it is.”

James will create murals for people on request after quoting a price which will depend on the size of the piece and how far he will need to travel to carry out the work.

To find out more about James’ art visit his Facebook page Transform-a-wall Murals, email sculpturelife@live.co.uk or call 07733026463.