ONE of Swindon’s most famous painters — and Sir Richard Branson’s former personal artist — is set to take his work Stateside.

Ken White, 72, from Old Town, has sent five paintings across The Pond to be displayed at aWestside gallery in New York City.

It marks the first time in his 50-year career that his work will go on display in America. The 19th century themed paintings are set to dazzle Big Apple art critics, with asking prices up to $7,000 (£4,500).

Ken said: “It’s a great feeling to finally be doing it. I’ve visited New York several times and what inspires me is that there is always a story behind everything and everyone you see.”

His works — including Bronx Afternoon, Dog Walker and The Promised Land — are inspired by the Ashcan school, an artistic movement in the United States during the early 20th century which is best known for portraying scenes of daily life in New York’s poorer neighbourhoods.

It caps a successful week for the oil painter, who celebrated his birthday this week with a meal at Prezzo in Regent Circus with family including wife Janet, whom he met at Swindon Art College.

The father-of-three takes inspiration from his time working for the Great Western Railway in the 1950s.

He said: “It’s all I know. It’s my life growing up, working on the railways, struggling and finally finding my calling in the art world.

“Some people say they don’t know where to start, I don’t know where to stop. I can paint all day and never get tired of it.”

The ‘mural man of Swindon’ first shot to fame in the 1970s with his Golden Lion Bridge mural, inspired by 19th century photos of Swindon — which caught the eye of Virgin mogul Richard Branson.

Ken spent 26 years as Sir Richard’s personal artist, and famously designed the iconic Scarlet Lady logo, which still appears on Virgin planes.

And he spoke fondly of Branson’s unique leadership style.

“He’s a great guy — a great manager and a great leader,” he said.

“I used to give him a cup of tea in the bath, he would attend meetings with us all in his dressing gown.

“He knows how to get a reaction out of people.”

During his half-century in the art world, Ken went from working in the Town Hall to painting planes and mixing with music legends Freddie Mercury and the Sex Pistols.

Ken, who exchanges Christmas cards with Gilbert O’Sullivan, another one of Swindon’s famous sons, said the Swindon art scene was on the rise.

“The Swindon art scene is definitely improving, people are getting more dynamic and experimental,” he added.