WAR veteran Christopher Delni-Offord was first inspired to pursue the artistic life as an 11-year-old boy staring open-mouthed at a Carvaggio painting in a London Gallery.

Decades on and Christopher will showcase his own work at Swindon Open Studios, when he joins more than 50 artists opening their doors to the public at 39 different venues across the town.

Now in its eight year, the annual event, which this year takes place on the first two weekends in September. September 5 and 6 and September 12 and 13, allows visitors the unique opportunity to visit artists and their work in their own settings.

Christopher, who will welcome enthusiasts to his own studio in 25 Middleleaze Drive, specialises in moody and reflective landscapes in oils influenced by 19th century tonal artists.

The army veteran of 22 years, who developed enterprises for wounded veterans and runs an art group for people with disabilities and learning difficulties, is looking forward to being a part of this year's event.

"It's a privileged to be able to do what I love and share it with others," he said.

"I am an oil landscape artist and have more recently worked on portraits too. Usually reasonably large pieces of work which could be described as tonal and impressionistic.

"I am inspired by the beauty of nature and creation and the chance to express our everyday lives and events through the movement of nature. I have fortunately worked and travelled all over the world and been inspired by many things.

"Much of my work comes from the recess of my imagination, so I spend much of my studio time moving paint around canvas until something inspires me.

"I'd like to be remembered for the honesty of my work and that I tried to pour out the celebration of life and its struggles and nature onto canvas. As a Christian I hope that more important things are remembered over and above myself. I like the saying ‘less of me more of Him’."

A stickler for organisation, Christopher begins each day in the studio he built in his house with pre-washing canvas for the following few days.

"Being organised is quite important so my studio is always ready to go for the next day," he said.

"I start by putting pre wash on canvas for the next few days but not before breakfast, as food is a vital part of the ingredient to keep my mind focused, with Italian blood in me I can't escape that.

"Each day is different depending my mood, at the time, sometimes I know exactly what I want to paint, and have particular structures in mind, at other times I just attack the canvas with variety of colours/brushes and wait to see what happens by moving the paint and observing."

To find out more about Christopher visit www. http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/christopher-delni-offord.html or www.casoservices.com.

To find out more about Swindon Open Studios visit www.swindonopenstudios.org.uk.