A kick-start for art

Hello to all kind hearts reading this!

I have recently (in July '16) returned to Scotland from Austria to relaunch my career as a budding artist - I lived and worked in Inverness from 2000 to 2005, had two exhibitions of my paintings back then; 2002 at Eden Court Theatre, and 2003 at Inverness Museum & Art Gallery. Under the new Westminster Rule I am now being regarded as an unwanted immigrant already, and have been treated accordingly.

Initially, a friend invited me over to live and work on his boat; this didn't work out as planned. Now I'm stuck on the boat, with a failed habitual residence test because I was not allowed to use the boat's docking place as residential address, therefore I couldn't register with a GP or get a British bank account.(Account is sorted, but I have to leave the boat; the owner wants me out.) I receive no state support whatsoever, hence I cannot get rehomed... and since I have no "home" I will not get any living allowance. Stuck in a real Catch 22.

In order to start my own business - drawing/painting portraits of loved ones from your photographs supplied -I would need a wee place where I can live; a cheap rented flat in the area to show I really want to contribute to Scotland's wealth and self-sufficiency! I would have to launch my own website as well; buy a scanner & printer and a computer (I'm working from my laptop at the moment), and maybe even a second-hand coffee machine to keep me going...

If the people who read this could donate a little sum towards my plan to get started, I would in return offer a sketch of one of their nearest & dearest when they submit a photo either online or via mail with their donation.

Every contributor who donates a certain sum will receive this unique gift, personally drawn from me, and of course will also be mentioned on any website and in the press once I've got my business off the ground.

I can draw or paint portraits of children or adults, pets; do castles, stately homes, landscapes and even paint murals for bars, hotels or privately owned homes. Have done this kind of work back in Austria and can provide evidence of it on request.

So if you are willing to help me out of my sad situation, please donate whatever you can afford... every 10p will take me closer to fulfilling my dream of living as self-employed artist, and working to earn my way with a job I love the most : painting and drawing.- Maybe I could even put the wacky stories I write onto the internet for people to enjoy and read.

Thank you for your understanding and kindness, all my love -

Innis (artist's signature)