A DARWEN artist is set for a busy new year after he was lauded as one of the best new illustrators in the country.

Chris Thornley, 36, from the Sunnyhurst area, graduated from the Blackburn School of Art and Design and Gwent University with degrees in art and typography.

The praise came from online art and culture magazine Juxtapoz.

Chris describes his work as storytelling, influenced by the birth of his son, Owen, two years ago.

He said: "I design characters like out of children's books but with serious messages like the environment.

"When Owen was born I started making stories for him and drawing characters."

Chris plans to release a book in May called Eating Cake with Giants', a compilation of children's stories and drawings. In June he is exhibiting his work at a gallery in Amsterdam and has also had enquiries from galleries in Bristol and Singapore.

He has just finished working with the Levi Jeans Company who asked him to produce a design for a backpocket.

His work can be checked out on www.sourcecreative.co.uk and on www.flickr.com.