AN ARTIST who specialises in painting celebrities has enjoyed receiving some big name endorsements.

Talented Pete Humphreys, who also does portraits of friends, family and other people who have influenced him, has seen his career take off since a highly successful exhibition at The World of Glass last year.

That exhibition led to celebrity visits and praise from names as Carley Stenson and Emma Rigby.

And Pete also received praise from further afield with Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe endorsing his work.

Meanwhile, his painting of Tony Stark aka Iron Man was posted on Facebook by Robert Downey Jr, which received 137,000 'likes' within a week.

And more celebrity approval came from Game of Thrones actress Lena Headey, who re-posted a painting he did of her as Cersei Lannister, commenting that he had "mad skills".

Pete has claimed the People’s Choice award at this year’s Open Art Competition for his sensational painting of actor Michael Gambon.

Meanwhile, Pete's own self portrait had already brought him second prize in the prestigious annual competition.

Following his success Pete will see his work on show in galleries across the British Isles after being signed up by top art publishers Demontfort Fine Art.

His work will be displayed in locations from London to Scotland and The Isle of Man.

“I am thrilled to be voted the People‘s Choice by visitors to the Open Art exhibition as the standard this year was so high," said Newton-le-Willows artist Pete.

“And I have to thank so many people at The World of Glass for giving me the motivation and encouragement to go for it as an artist.

“St Helens is such a fantastic place for an aspiring artist to work and I would encourage any other creatives from the area to go for it too."

Pete and other Open Art winners shared £1,900 worth of prizes in the annual exhibition, a collaborative project with The World of Glass, St Helens Council, The Rainford Trust and the Star.