Northern conductor Paul Mirfin, who only started painting during the Pandemic, had a debut exhibit at his home station of Harrogate on Saturday the 30th of October.

Paul who is from Knaresborough, has worked for Northern for 19 years and in recent months felt the need to find a therapeutic hobby to help with his anxiety.

Paul said:

“Painting is really new for me. I had never painted in my life but earlier this year I picked up a brush, bought a load of oils and just started painting.

“I was diagnosed with anxiety a little while ago. My mum had passed away, I moved house, got married and had a lot going on. Painting just focused me in a way nothing else did and really helped.”

Using boundless colour, Paul’s works are inspired by the scenery he enjoys each day on the railway and have been very popular with colleagues, some of which have even asked him for commissions.

Paul added: 

“Obviously, being a railwayman, that’s what most of my paintings are of so far. One will be put into the staff room at Leeds, which I’m very proud of. And I’ve started to do some on request for colleagues too.

“I’d recommend giving painting a go to anyone. It’s so relaxing and absorbing – it helps you take time off in your mind of other things that are going on, or it does for me at least.”

Tony Baxter, Regional Director at Northern said: 

“It is very exciting to be featuring Paul’s work at Harrogate station for both our customers and colleagues to enjoy.

At Northern, we are dedicated to making the railway environment better for the whole community and to encourage everyone to ‘go do your thing’ – whatever that may be.”

Where Next?

RAILADVENT NEWS
The latest railway news
RailAdvent Plus
Railway Discounts, 4k Video, pictures and more!
FREE NEWSLETTERS
Signup to our daily and weekly newsletters
RAILADVENT SHOP
Railway Prints, DVD’s / Blu-Ray’s, books and more
LOCOSTOP COMMUNITY
Come and share your railway pictures
UK STEAM INFO
Upcoming mainline steam tours/loco movements
Northern
Visit their website