An artist who started painting ‘on the side’ while holding down a string of office jobs will have her work displayed alongside greats – including Picasso.
Vicky Horkan, who grew up in Pogmoor ‘opposite the Tommy Tred’ has been selected to exhibit in the Meller Merceux Gallery in Oxford.
She said: “It’s a really good gallery. They sell Picasso and Salvador Dali but they also select emerging artists as well.”
Vicky, 36, nee Brook, studied textile design at Bretton College and afterwards had a number of office jobs that ‘were not the best’. But she followed her passion to paint and started selling pieces on eBay for about £50.
These days her work fetches up to £4,000. She’s exhibited at La Galleria, Pall Mall, London, and her work graces walls in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Vicky, who lives in Leeds, said her success had surprised her.
“I never thought I could make a living out of painting. I always knew I had talent but never thought people would buy more work.”
The La Galleria exhibition was the turning point, she says. “It was a solo show at one of the top galleries in London. They really promoted me.
“I didn’t have the confidence when I started. You’re a small fish in a big pond because there are so many artists out there.
“I never thought it would go this far – I’m pretty chuffed my stuff is in a gallery with Picasso.”
