Fixby man's pop art picture business

Jan 5 2010 by Henryk Zientek, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Nottingham University student in the frame

PHILOSOPHY graduate Josh Oldham is in the picture.

The former Nottingham University student has turned a part-time money-raiser into a full blown business venture by converting photographs into personalised pop art masterpieces via his website www.blurredreality.co.uk

Customers send in photos of themselves, family, friends – and even their pets.

Josh, 21, uses computer wizardry to create images that resemble Banksy-style graffiti, Roy Lichtenstein comic book art or the highly-distinctive pop art used for the album cover of Blur’s Greatest Hits or the 2006 film A Scanner Darkly.

Josh, who lives at Fixby, said: “Originally, I used to sell artwork on eBay to help raise a bit of money when I was at university.

“When I left university I got a temporary job in an office working for a charity.

“There weren’t too many opportunities for full-time employment, so I decided now was as good a time as any to set up on my own.

“I finished the temporary contract, which meant I had a little money to invest in the business.

“I set up the website myself and because it is an online business I don’t have to worry about the usual overheads.”

He said: “Most of my customers are getting photos done as presents. Often they want pictures of their children and babies.

“Quite a few want pictures of their pets, which is something I wasn’t expecting!

“People like the idea because while they are reluctant to plaster photos of themselves around the house, a ‘cartoony’ version is a step removed from that – yet it still means something to them.

“I have even had a customer who wanted to convert a wedding photo to give as a present.”