As a boy growing up in Hampshire near the Watercress Line, Stephen Bedser developed a love of heritage.
And its a love that never left him, characterised today by his passion for painting historical scenes, steam engines and traction engines.
He said: "I've been painting since year dot. The Watercress Line is one of the largest preservation lines in the country, and going up there as an 8-year-old boy and seeing these engines being preserved inspired me.
"I've still got a scrapbook from when I was 8 or 9 of my drawings and sketches."
By day, Mr Bedser, who lives in Redruth, works in digital marketing, but once the sun sets and the children are in bed, he sits at his desk and paints.
He said: "I did art up to A-level, but I'm not formally trained, I've just always painted."
Mr Bedser's skills appeal to the owners of traction and steam engines, who like nothing more than an original painting of their prize exhibit.
He often gets commissions to paint engines, even railway stations.
"My style is quite loose, but I like to be accurate," he said. "I really enjoy painting.
"Design, heritage, watercolours - they're all things I like.
"I do sell a few of my paintings, but it's not really about the money, it's just nice to know that someone has a piece of your work hanging on their wall somewhere.
"I recently completed a painting for a steam society in Hampshire who are fundraising to finance the completion of their engine's restoration."
