A Greenock artist's ground-breaking exhibition combing his own work with artificial intelligence is a big hit with art lovers 

Derek Mitchell, a well-known face at the town's Lyle Gateway, where he is community development leader, is showcasing his latest work at the Wyllieum gallery.

Derek, 53, who graduated from Glasgow School of Art 13 years ago, specialising in fine art, has put together a visually striking collection.

Derek's work has gone on show at the Wyllieum. (Image: George Munro)

He told the Telegraph: "I didn't have have the qualifications when I left school and I felt that people who went to Glasgow Art School were a lot better. I suppose I put them on a pedestal.

"No-one in my family has been to university. I fell into working in community development, so I started studying for a degree, and when I realised I could write essays at university level, it gave me the confidence to change it to fine arts.

"I was working as a graphic designer for voluntary organisations as part of my community work, so I thought, that I could do both.

"I also design book covers for a Glasgow publisher, Seahorse Publications."

(Image: George Munro)

As Derek completed his first year at university in community learning and development, he earned a certificate enabling him to combine his work in this area with pursuing his passion for art.

He previously worked for the charity Faith In Throughcare, working with men coming out of prison in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Kilmarnock and Greenock.

He has been working at Lyle Gateway for the last five years.

His last solo exhibition was at the Beacon, so he was excited about this current showcase of 21 artworks and has had some very positive feedback.

"It's been great," he said.

"I've sold quite a few pieces already and I had over 60 people at the opening."

(Image: George Munro) Derek has used AI technollgy to 'reimagine' his own archive of drawings, prints and and photographs for the past 15 years.

He has also been inspired by a trip to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka earlier in the year.

He said: "Tokyo is the origin of modern art.

"I absolutely loved my time there. I was walking 23 miles a day, with my camera.

"I took around 4,500 photographs."

This has also inspired some of the new work in his current exhibition including the leading image of the geisha-like woman and a few other patterns and textures.

Derek is also hoping to to teach art in France next summer near Limoges.

The Wyllieum showcase will run until Christmas.