This was a commissioned piece and I enjoyed working with my clients, I wanted them to be really happy with the painting, they are going to live with it a long time and I have to say it was a pleasure. ‘Mr Pompous and his friends’ all have a story to tell, but you will never really know what that story is, but you can speculate. I love painting people, but I don’t want to just paint portraits, I want my people to have a bit of character, a little of the night about them I want them to be special. A crowd of men dressed up in top hat and tails, each with a story to tell. The one on the far left is just stood watching and listening, the guy next to him is anxious for some reason, he’s obviously not happy, growling with a stern sort of look. Next Mr Pompous is trying to look rather grand but not quite pulling it off. Then we have Mr Shifty, he’s trying to impart some important information to Mr Big who is quite aghast at the information he is receiving and even removed his hat so he can hear better. The 2 on the end are also straining to listen to what’s been said, in fact Mr Blue is really over taxing himself to hear what’s being said.