TALENTED artist Gerry Halpin is the picture of success.

For he finished 2014 by having pictures accepted in two major London exhibitions and is set to become president of the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts in 2015.

It is just another impressive chapter in the artistic chronicle of the former Rivington and Blackrod High School teacher who left a solid academic career to become a full-time painter.

He had already started forging a career as a local landscape artist, with his views around Rivington particularly sought after when he quit his 16-year career at Rivington, finishing as Head of Art.

Since then, Mr Halpin, who has a studio in Horwich, has extended his range and has had his work included in exhibitions around the country.

His latest successes at the end of last year included having two of his aerial landscapes chosen for the prestigious annual London exhibition by the Royal Society of Marine Artists, followed by two pictures being included in the Royal Institute of Oil Painters for their exhibition at the Mall Galleries.

"I was particularly thrilled because the second exhibition is a much more difficult exhibition to be selected for as, unlike the marine artists with their narrow subject range and therefore fewer submitting artists, the oil painters cover all subjects and attract a much greater number of submissions," explained Mr Halpin.

The New Year also promises to be a special time for him as he is set to become the new president of the Manchester Academy of Fine Arts, which has a long and distinguished history including numbering L S Lowry and Sir Kenneth Clarke among its members.

The Academy currently has around 112 members, who have each been elected to the organisation, from all around the region and as far afield as Cornwall and Italy. It meets regularly and puts on exhibitions as well as promoting art in the region and encouraging new talent with awards for young artists via a strong link with Manchester Metropolitan University.

"It's an exciting time for art in Greater Manchester anyway," stated Mr Halpin. "There is a very healthy art scene generally but there are also two new art galleries being planned."

Mr Halpin is also very keen to involve businesses in the arts' field and will be looking for sponsorships for awards to help showcase and assist young talent around the region. "Yes, it is set to be an exciting year all round," he commented.