Colourful future for farmer

John Hurford taught himself to paint

A farmer has become a professional artist after seeing his business ruined by foot-and-mouth disease.

John Hurford made the move after income from his pig operation dried up because of livestock movement restrictions.

Mr Hurford, from Chumleigh, Devon, has converted part of his home into an exhibition space and studio.

He said: "When we did not have a way of making money at the beginning of the year, I thought it was time to try something else."

Book illustrations

Self-taught Mr Hurford, 53, had painted for many years, illustrating children's books.

Earlier this year he held an exhibition of pencil portraits of men of his own age living in the area, with some of whom he had been to school.

"I sold 70% of them," said Mr Hurford. He also exhibited his book illustrations at his home this year.

Mr Hurford, who has also had a painting exhibited at the Royal Academy summer 2000 exhibition, said his future commissions included more portraits of local people, and he had other projects in the pipeline.

But pigs are still part of his life - his 50-year-old wife Jane still keeps a few of the animals on their land.