A FORMER Honda worker whose artistic flair was sapped by years on the production line has spoken of his delight at opening his own art studio in Royal Wootton Bassett.

43-year-old Nathan Pegler has always been interested in art but it was only when he took voluntary redundancy from his job manufacturing cars in 2014 that he was able to rediscover his creative talents.

This month saw the opening of his brand new studio, at the Ashdown Equestrian Centre, where he plans to produce his own art and also to pass on his passion to others through workshops and classes.

Nathan said: “The launch day went really well, it was great to welcome people to check out the new studio – I’d say it was a good success.

“I was particularly pleased that a couple of local artists came along and they want to get together to make use of the great new space too.

“My old art teacher from Ridgeway School was there as well which was great, he said he was thrilled I had pursued an art career which was really nice to hear.”

A change in personal circumstances in 2013 gave Nathan the renewed urge and confidence to seize the opportunity to pursue an art career when he was offered voluntary redundancy the following year.

“I did the odd piece of art work for family members but the Honda grind seemed to block the creativity in me,” he explained.

“The decision to leave was very easy to make, my new partner was 100 percent behind me emotionally and financially.”

Just a few months after turning his back on his previous career, Nathan launched his own collection with a focus on pastel work – he creates colourful, contemporary, abstract pieces inspired by landscapes, waves and other natural scenes.

Nathan added: “We created NJP Pastel Art in the summer of 2014, launching a website featuring my pastel artwork combined with an online shop.

“I held an exhibition of my work at the Chiseldon House Hotel to get everything started.

“Since then, things have gone from strength to strength – I’ve sold work at high end craft markets in Marlborough, prints are being sold in Dandelions of Royal Wootton Bassett and I have original work currently hanging in the Polly Tea Rooms on Marlborough High Street.”

Confident that art was going to be a viable choice for his future, Nathan made plans for the construction of a new studio as his first major project of 2016.

He is in the final stages of planning courses, particularly in pastels but also looking at other mediums.

The main courses will be around six weeks in length and he hopes that people in the local community will come along and get involved.

Nathan hopes to begin marketing the classes and releasing new information on his website in the very near future.