TO the untrained eye Dalmuir's Durban Avenue looks just like any other street but inside number 78 lies a very unusual front room – and we're not talking about the fully equipped bar found in the corner.

Homeowner Jim O'Donnell has dedicated his front room to his artwork and created a miniature art gallery which is open by appointment to the public.

The well known former greeter at Clydebank's Asda store, has dedicated his time to his passion since retiring last year and has already proved a smash success, with artwork selling for hundreds of pounds and appearing in galleries throughout the country – he's even got a few celebrity clients although he remains tight lipped on the A-lister's identities.

His love for his craft stems from childhood but it is only now Jim feels truly ready to commit to it and fill his free time post retirement and after the tragic loss of his beloved wife Margaret last year.

The 62-year-old said: "I've been painting for around 30 years but the last 15 years I've been pushing it.

"Now really seems like the right time – I'm on my own since my wife passed away and my sons are grown and I'm not working – so I'd like to pursue it as a business because up until now it's been more of a hobby.

"I wish I had started it sooner but, people always talk about following your passion, your passion is putting food on the table for your family so I always focused on that but now is the right time."

Now the lifelong Bankie is preparing to take his show on the road with a display at a new Helensburgh gallery for a special two-day only event beginning with a swanky invite only extravaganza on Friday August 26, before opening to the public between 9.30am and 4.30pm the following day.

This new display will coincide with the launch of Jim's new website, jodyart.scot, which will allow fans to buy print copies of his works for around £35.

Jim said: "It's a much easier way for people to get hold of the art and it's much cheaper too.

"Some of my paintings I actually keep as prints because the originals are in a gallery and they're of great quality.

"Plus, it's a little easier for me because as soon you do a painting they resonate with you and become part of you, like a kid, and it can be hard to part with them but you've got to let go just like you do with kids."

And the painting Jim has struggled most to let go of, New Skates, which is currently handing in a gallery in the north of Scotland will make its way back to him for the Helensburgh display – but he still keeps a print of it hanging proudly in his hallway.

"It's my favourite and I don't really know why. I just came up with this story of a little girl getting new ice skates," Jim says.

"My wife was a ballerina and she posed for the painting so maybe that's why it's my favourite. I'm looking forward to seeing it again."

The aptly named Oak Tree Gallery was opened with a glittering exhibition at its King Street space by owner Dawn Perry, who ran the town's Acorn Gallery for more than thirty years.

A venue which, according to Jim, will be filled with his former Asda pals come opening night – who may or not be there solely for the wine, he says.

For more information about the upcoming exhibit, contact 01436 672 132 or emailing acorn43@btinternet.com.