Well-known Harrogate artist's own great journey leads to chance meeting with TV's Michael Portillo

Harrogate’s renowned ‘singing conductor’ and artist Paul Mirfin says it felt like his life had come full circle when he got the chance to present one of his original artworks to broadcaster and former government minister Michael Portillo.

Following success in music with his semi-acoustic rock band which sold out Harrogate's Royal Hall, Mirfin, who still works on the Harrogate railway line, has branched out into art in recent years.

Earlier this year, this Northern rail conductor by day, set up his gallery in a vacant unit on the platform at the Grade II listed Knaresborough railway station, where he now paints and teaches art classes.

He began painting in 2021 and gained prominence for works including a painting of a tree outside Betty’s Tea Rooms commissioned by a friend of the King (displayed at Clarence House), as well as portraits of musicians like Justin Currie of Del Amitri and Paul Guerin of The Quireboys.

His meeting with Michael Portillo earlier this week which came after the TV presenter’s appearance at Harrogate Convention Centre was a stroke of good fortune.

Both Paul and his wife Nicola are big fans of shows like Great British Railway Journeys and Great Continental Railway Journeys.

So much, so, Paul even gifted the famous personality one of his paintings, in this case, Ember skies at Knaresborough Station, a portrait of his studio on Knaresborough Railway station, blessed with bold striking colours and clean lines.

“My wife and I actually followed Michael Portillo’s journey through Sicily on his TV show for our honeymoon as we love watching his railway programmes,” said Paul.

“It was a bit like coming full circle.

“The painting was a gift for Michael, as he has done so much for the railways, including saving the Settle to Carlisle line and his programmes on great railway journeys which we love watching.

“It was an honour to meet him and he seemed to like the painting, which is good.”

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