'Simple, honest and real': How Darlington artist Lou Harris captures the North

Living in Darlington with my partner Terry and my dog Moo, I see and meet these people every day and celebrate, through my work, their honest and forthright approach to life. Fashions may come and go, but the fundamental essence of Northerners remains steadfast no matter which generation you choose to look at.

The backdrop of the North-East, or indeed the whole of the North, is important to me because it is where I am from and what I know best. My memories have been forged here. I love it, it’s my home… not only the people, but the streets, the coastline and the light – simple, honest and real.

This is the truth I celebrate and champion in my work.

Over my career, I seem to have created a world of my own – timelines are blurred and create a narrative that speaks of the people rather than the era. I suppose it is inevitable ones loved ones, fond memories and family cannot be too far away when certain images are being created, but a celebration of the working life and of the working classes, of which I am one, is what the work is really about.

After 21 years as a professional artist, I have found that my techniques in painting and applying paint are becoming more organic and expressive; in other words, I am allowing the paint itself to have a voice alongside the narrative. It is important to me that I continue to be excited by the content and process by which I create my paintings.

Using a combination of oils, acrylics, charcoal and lacquers on paper, I am constantly experimenting in order to inject an exciting progression, which is vital to an artist’s evolution and longevity. I want the viewer to be excited and transported for a while from their world to mine.

I knew from a very early age that I wanted be an artist. No one inspired me; I simply picked up a pencil one day and never put it down. I had no special gift, just the desire to create. In fact, one of my first memories was that of frustration because I didn’t have the skills or the materials to paint what I wanted.

Thankfully, that frustration has gone.

I consider myself extremely fortunate never to have given up on a career as an artist. It would have been so easy after I completed my degree in 1993. Back then the colleges seemed to spit you out without any thought of progressing in the art world. There was no social media or much of an internet really.

The college door was simply closed and ‘luck’ took over. Fortunately for me, luck was on my side and I found myself being inspired by local artists such as Tom McGuinness, Norman Cornish and Mackenzie Thorpe, who not only inspired me, but helped me with materials and advice in the early days.

Of course, an artist is not an artist without the support of a good gallery and Richard Hindle of Gallerina, in Darlington, has been my supporter, promoter and rock for all of my selling career so far. I am incredibly grateful for everyone’s support over the years. I feel so lucky and honoured that good people connect with and are moved by my work. To those people, I would like to give a big thank you and promise that I will continue to paint.

I recently completed a large painting of Robin Hood's Bay with a couple walking back to the village. It illustrates the simple pleasure of walking by the sea and the fact that ‘happiness’ doesn’t have to cost money; it can be finding an hour to spend with the person you love, or just with your own thoughts.

• Gallerina, 1 Victoria Road, Darlington, DL1 5SJ. 01325-363635. gallerina.co.uk