Ex-Serviceman launches unique new business venture

Torquay-based Dave Morris (26) has left a 10 year military career with The Royal Air Force (RAF)  to launch an exciting new commercial business, ‘Nomad LED’, the UK’s first all-electric, emission free, fleet of mobile advertising vehicles sourced in Europe.  And the newly launched company is already drawing attention in the region including Torbay Council and the Police for a potential local community event.

Nomad’s innovative fleet of electrically-powered vehicles equipped with state-of-the-art LED display screens, are designed to provide a cost-effective means of delivering a company’s message at a number or events including trade shows, exhibitions or sports events to promote a campaign or simply showcase the company’s brand and products.  The company offers nationwide coverage both day and night. Purpose-built, the quirky and eye-catching vehicles come equipped with software content management programmes and the company is looking to upgrade these to be even more flexible to link to social media messages and other technology.

Dave retired from the RAF in February this year where he had worked in a Field Communications Unit.  Joining straight from school at the tender age of 16, Dave has seen action in a number of overseas locations including Cyprus, Iraq and Afghanistan.  His training in the RAF was in IT, communications and audio-visual technology and he gained an in-depth knowledge of LED displays.  He worked with the revered RAF presentation team travelling around the country talking with authority to business societies and groups as well as the general public at events and air shows often with the world’s premier Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, The Red Arrows demonstrating their spectacular and captivating displays and fly-pasts.

Matt Mckee and Dave Morris on an RAF C130 Hercules whilst on operations in Afghanistan in 2009. 

Swapping his military camouflage for a business suit, entrepreneurial Dave will be offering three types of eco-friendly and stylish vehicles to hire, suitable for both indoor and outside events.  The Eco-AdScooter, a three-wheel vehicle with five page scrolling ads on each side as well as the Eco-Mini AdVan and the large Eco-AdVan  which both have a high quality 6mm pixel pitch outdoor LED screen all powered by battery.  The vehicles have an eight-hour battery life and can be easily re-charged using a standard British three-pronged plug.

Dave Morris, managing director Nomad LED says: “I am really excited about this new venture and being part of ‘Civy-Street’ for the first time following a great and rewarding career in the forces. I have been working on the concept over the last 12 months and in real earnest since the autumn.  My research indicates there is a large market for LED displays but there are very few mobile advertising vehicles and we are already gaining a lot of interest. We believe we are the first in the UK and possibly Europe to supply these type of eco-friendly vehicles powered by battery which makes the product eco-friendly and green.  The beauty of our products is that they have the ability to drive through highly-populated and pedestrianised areas because they are environmentally friendly and emission-free which is an important factor in modern commerce.”

Dave Morris Managing Director Nomad LED / Ian Morris Director Nomad LED and Adam Egan (Ex-RAF) showcasing the Eco-Mini AdVan

Newly launched in the South West, pioneering Dave Morris is already thinking of expanding outside of the UK. He comments; “We have the resources available to add more vehicles as needed.  We are starting out small but as the business evolves I would like to consider opening a second operation in Europe, probably somewhere like Sweden because the country has a keen interest in the environment and is known as a green destination.”

www.nomad-led.co.uk

The Queen's official portrait to celebrate her 85th Birthday now unveiled. Read Glen King's interview with Royal Artist Darren Baker when she met him at his exhibition at Triton Galleries, Torquay, Devon in 2010

Anne Craib Commercial Director & David Phelps owner of Triton Galleries - Royal Artist Darren Baker and Glen King

Glen King visits Triton Galleries in Torquay and gains an insight into this talented young artist about to embark on his biggest commission to date.  Darren is due to paint Her Majesty The Queen to commemorate her 85th Birthday in association with The Royal British Legion celebrating its 90^th anniversary which is to be unveiled in September 2011.   The Darren Baker exhibition at Triton Galleries includes a collection of never seen before stunning originals in oils, pastels and charcoal.

At the tender age of four, artist Darren Baker can vividly remember people crowding around him as he sketched Big Ben... it was from that moment on that he has been fascinated by detail.

To date, 34 year old Darren has painted notable public figures such as Prince Charles and former Prime Minister Tony Blair which hang in St. James’s Palace and 10 Downing Street respectively. He’s collected numerous coveted awards including best artist at the Fine Art Trade Guild ceremony in London, the Garrick prize, Christies and specially selected more recently by Senior Royal Academician to exhibit at the ING Discerning Eye Exhibition.

When asked if he’s always wanted to be an artist, without hesitation Darren replies “I’ve never thought about being anything else. I was just born an artist.” Originally from Bradford, he explains how his talent doesn’t stem from anyone else in the family, “I’m just a freak of nature really.” Now living in the Cotswolds, Darren shares a character cottage with his wife Abigail and their 13-month-old Pug puppy called Albert, specially bred for them by an art lover as a wedding present. Describing the area as a ‘beautiful part of the world’ Darren is currently renovating his home studio to create his perfect working environment.  

At the age of just 23 Darren was appointed official artist for the Professional Footballers Association painting such famous faces as the late great George Best, Stephen Gerrard and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

How did you get involved with the PFA?

I wrote a letter to the Chief Executive Gordon Taylor saying how much I like football and asked whether they’d like to commission me to do some artwork. They loved the idea and the rest is history!

And when you were first starting out you received a grant from the Princes Trust?

Yes, after I graduated they introduced me to a business mentor who helped in putting my name forward for various fairs, getting me networking and raising my profile as an artist. I owe them a great debt.”

You’re about to follow in the footsteps of artists like Rolf Harris and Lucien Freud.  Painting the Queen is in celebration of her 85th birthday, how did this come about?

I was on tour about four years ago at The Windsor Horse Show. I’d been commissioned by the British Legion and when they saw my work they put my name forward.

Painting such a well-known and recognised face has proven rather controversial in the past with artist’s interpretations dividing critics. It must be rather daunting, how are you planning to approach the piece?

Well, once I’ve had the sitting I’ll have a better idea of how I feel about painting the Queen and what my take on her will be, so that will affect the style and size of the portrait.  That’s a kind of pivotal moment really. I might introduce some poppies as a nod to the Legion.

What medium will you be working in and why?

The portrait will be in oil. I just love the versatility of it and the colours you can create and the textures. It takes longer but the results are worth it.  Like anything, good things come to those who wait!

Darren says his true admiration in the art world is for the grand masters including Rembrandt and Vemeer, admitting he would love to paint the Queen astride a horse like traditional Royal portraiture.

In addition you are working in association with Lloyds Private Banking who have commissioned you to create portraits of various athletes leading up to a big exhibition in 2012 as part of their Olympic programme.    

There are quite a few things in the pipeline which I can’t mention at the moment but it is going to be a really exciting year.

Embarking on perhaps the most prestigious commission of his career to date, he casts his mind back fondly to the first ever paid commission when his Godmother gave him £25 to paint her cottage in Huddersfield. The price of that painting today would no doubt have extra zeros added with most of his works starting from £1,000.  Ever modest and humble about his work, the pieces closest to Darren’s heart are those of sentimental value including those of his family and one of his personal favourites; the church window at St. Bartholomew’s in Meltham which brings back fond memories of visits as a boy. 

www.tritongalleries.co.uk

ROYAL ARTIST EXHIBITS NEW COLLECTION AT TRITON GALLERIES TORQUAY

Sensuelle 1

Outstanding British artist Darren Baker, commissioned to paint Her Majesty The
Queen visits Triton Galleries in Torquay to unveil his highly anticipated new collection.  The exhibition included limited edition prints on canvas entitled Vision Sensuelle I, II and III, plus many new original paintings.

Local art lovers got the rare chance to meet this modern master at two separate exhibitions held at Triton Galleries in Torquay.  The first was a private viewing for clients at the new dedicated Triton gallery within the luxury designer fashion department store Hoopers located in the restaurant area on Friday 1st July.  The second event was held at the Torwood Street Gallery on Saturday 2nd July between 1.00 – 3.00 pm with a champagne reception.

Awarded best artist at The Fine Art Guild Ceremony in London and The Garrick Prize, Christies, Darren Baker is taking the art world by storm with his classic realism. Having painted notable figures including Prince Charles, Tony Blair and the Bahrain Royal family, he is now embarking upon the the most prestigious commission of his career painting The Queen in celebration of her 85th birthday and the 90th anniversary of The Royal British Legion, an accolade accorded to a very small number of artists in the monarch's lifetime. The finished original will be unveiled at the end of August at the Royal British Legion Headquarters.

Darren Baker second from right with Anne Craib and art lovers

Commercial Director at Triton Galleries, Anne Craib says, “We are delighted to be welcoming such a prestigious and celebrated artist to Torquay. Darren continues to leave the art world in awe of his stunning originals and the nation is eagerly awaiting the
unveiling of his portrait of The Queen in August.”

Darren Baker's fine art works span a number of different subjects including interiors, figurative works, equestrian and ballet studies, portraits and landscapes. Darren says his true admiration in the art world is for the grand masters including Rembrandt and Vemeer.  The latest achievement for Darren is being selected to exhibit his fine art at the Florence Biennale, the most prestigious and respected contemporary art event in the world.

www.tritongalleries.co.uk