A gallery owner who prides himself on exhibiting work which is ‘a little bit different’ believes his success is down to supporting artists with different ideas of what art is.

Elton Weale, owner of Images in Frames, in High Street, Wanstead, opened the shop and gallery two years ago in order to stock striking, eye-catching pieces of work.

When asked about what makes art appealing to customers, Mr Weale said it was something personal to each customer.

He said: "Asking why you choose the art you choose is a hard question - it is something so personal.

"All I know is when someone walks into your house, you want the art you have bought to be your showpiece. You buy that art because you love it and we stock the kind of things you would want in your home.

"I have no specific preferences as to technique or colours because a range of techniques can be eye-catching or striking – but in completely different ways.

"Apart from using beautiful pieces of work, I use British artists, usually less well known, and therefore I can stock really good value for money pieces."

Mr Weale started Images in Frames in 2003 in Wood Street, Walthamstow. 

“The location of the second shop on Wanstead High Street was a great opportunity to start a gallery within the framing shop.

“We are a unique kind of business which offers something hopefully a little bit different – but the beauty of art is that we can pick and choose anything we want to display.

“We put anything on display as people have such different ideas about what art is, as long as it is good quality.”

Mr Weale is also keen to support artists in the community, but also exhibits work made elsewhere.

He said: “I am a big supporter of local art and therefore I charge less commission for them. But we have an exhibition on at the moment from a famous artist called Edward Waite.

“His pieces translate just as well as local artists’ work because he focuses on London cityscapes which really fitted in with our customers’ needs and with the high street."

Commenting on an ongoing planning application for a shopping arcade to be built next door to his shop, Mr Weale welcomed the arrival of new custom to the area.

He said: “I think anything which brings new people to Wanstead High Street is going to be a good thing. I cannot see a problem with that and think all local businesses will benefit from it.”

Edward Waite's exhibition will finish November 4.