Two walls of the cinema foyer gallery are filled with paintings, cartoons and caricatures by Barnet artist, Simon Ellinas.

His work is on display until Monday 13 January.

Mr Ellinas was “flabbergasted” when his painting of Brit artist Tracey Emin was voted the most popular entry at the annual exhibition last October.

He was delighted when offered the chance to exhibit at the Reel cinema, which is a regular show case for members of the guild.

His triptych of Emin and Hirst seeks to exploit the Brit art phenomenon.

“I did the painting of Damien Hirst in two halves because he made his name depicting sharks and cows cut in half, and also in doing a lot of pictures full of spots, so I hope my portrait is seen as a satirical depiction of a leading Brit artist.

“After I had done my painting of Tracey Emin, I realised the three images belonged together with half of Damien’s face on either side of Tracey.

I was amazed when my portrait of Brit art’s femme terrible Tracey was voted the favourite painting at the annual show

“I was amazed when my portrait of Brit art’s femme terrible Tracey was voted the favourite painting at the annual show – usually the accolade goes to one of the landscape painters like Chris Barker.”

Mr Ellinas trained as a graphic designer and worked for magazines and newspapers. When short of commissions he began drawing cartoons and caricatures.

Over the years he has produced illustrations for a wide range of magazines and websites as well as leading newspapers, such as the Sunday Times, Sunday Telegraph and formerly for the News of the World.

He has been a Barnet resident for the last 30 years, and currently resides off Bells Hill.

“As I have always had a career in cartoons and caricatures, friends suggested I should join the Barnet Guilds of Artists, which I did three years ago.

“I am so glad I joined because it has re-ignited my first love of painting which I had left behind at art school.

“I got the canvasses out and started work – mainly oil paintings of celebrities in films, theatre and the art world, and my oil painting of Tracey Emin is a product of that reawakening.

“My inspiration – my obsession – has always been peoples’ faces, although in my triptych on the Beatles’ Abbey Road cover (also on display at the Reel) I concentrate of legs and feet and the famous zebra crossing.”

Mr Ellinas’ daughter Charlotte (26) – a former head girl at Queen Elizabeth’s Girls’ School – has followed in her father’s footsteps. She is a character entertainer at London attractions and does portraits of people and animals in water colour and pencil.

“I do live caricatures of people at performances and events – and Charlotte has that same inspiration.”

Mr Ellinas’ work can be seen at www.caricatures.org.uk and www.artoelli.co.uk His daughter’s website is: www.charlotteellinasart.co.uk