Star date: 29th October 2017

ROBERT DE NIRO, GEORGE BEST AND FAMILY PORTRAITS

Paul Houghton, operating out of Ordsall, has been immortalising legends and local families in mosaics for around two years, and is now developing the unique electrical tape art form...In tape or ceramics, Paul has something for everyone.

Full details here...

Morrissey...the Gallaghers...De Niro...George Best...Joy Division...and loads of Salford families...all have been immortalised by Paul Houghton from his studio come home in Ordsall.

Formerly specialising in pure paintings, Paul moved onto ceramic mosaics around two years ago and has since built up a business spread only by word of mouth and Facebook...

"I started with Mod targets and the Salford City FC badge and then moved onto portraits" he recalls "It's time consuming and takes a lot of patience."

Celebrity mosaic portraits have included the famous Robert De Niro Taxi Driver image, George Best in classic pose and local music legends, from Shaun Ryder to Ian Brown...

"The toughest thing is finding an image that's not been done before" says Paul, although he did source a famous image of Joy Division standing on a bridge that was unique in mosaic. When finished, Hooky signed it and it was sold for charity.

Meanwhile, Salford families commission Paul to depict loved ones, either for special occasions or if they have passed away. He works from photos, the likeness is spot on, and he's keen that everyone can afford his work.

While something like Taxi Driver takes weeks of work and can cost around £750, smaller pieces, like the legends' heads, cost between £80 and £100.

There are now, however, a lot of local artists doing the ceramic mosaics, so Paul is staying ahead of the game creating electrical tape art which is still pretty unique in this country.

"I saw on tv last year a fellow who was doing it, so I thought I'd have a go at that" Paul recalls "He was the only person I could find who was doing it; it's an emerging thing. I found the name of his tape company, so I've got colours now! It's something I'm hoping to develop..."

Early portraits of the Gallagher brothers and Joe Strummer in electrical tape are certainly striking and have a modern texture that's well different. However, in ceramic mosaic or electrical tape, Paul can do anything for anyone, as Ordsall art hits homes all over Salford...

To commission Paul see the Facebook site Paul Houghton Mosaics – or click here