Shipley artist Darren Baker is more renowned for his portraits of famous footballers but he will now have his work exhibited by London's famously-exclusive Garrick Club.

His painting was selected from that of 500 artists from around the country for the exhibition which is part of the Garrick-Milne Prize.

The artists were asked to submit work based on a theatrical theme for the prize, which is held in memory of Garrick Club benefactor and author A A Milne, who created Winnie the Pooh.

Mr Baker's portrait of a ballet dancer was chosen along with 58 others to appear in the exhibition which starts on August 27 at Christies in the capital.

Five paintings from the finalists will be selected for a shortlist to compete for a £30,000 prize fund with the winner netting £20,000. Among the judges is Christopher Lloyd, who is the surveyor of the Queen's pictures.

"I am delighted to have been chosen. It is superb," said Mr Baker, 27, a former Bradford College art and design student who now runs his own gallery in Saltaire.

But it is not the first time he has made an impact in the capital.

He rubbed shoulders with royalty when he was invited to present a portrait of Prince Charles at St James's Palace.

"I wanted to do the portrait as a tribute to the Prince's Trust which helped me when I began," he said.

"I believe it is now on display within the Palace."

His skill also led him to be hired as the official artist of the Professional Footballers' Association in 2001.

He said: "I was asked to paint all the Players of the Year, which was a real honour."

Next on his busy agenda is an exhibition at designer Clive Christian's showroom in Harrogate which he hopes will give him a lead into the US market.

Clive Christian specialises in expensive furniture, perfume and art and also has showrooms in Paris and New York.

"I'm hoping that big things will come from that," said Mr Baker.

"I really want to end up in America. It is the biggest country for the art industry, particularly for my 'old-master' style of art."

Despite protesting his diversity, the artist enjoys doing still-life and interiors. He said: "I think my work appeals to people because it is high-realism and is based on traditional technique.

"It is the more classical side of art, which I know the Americans really love. So watch out America, here I come!"