A FISHERMAN has become the Flintshire Banksy’s latest muse.

The most recent offering from the elusive artist, known only as Random, is a portrait of ‘The Salmon Fisherman’ which appeared on a green buoy in the Yvonne’s Cafe car park in Dock Road, Connah’s Quay.

The Leader has managed to track down the fisherman who, despite being the inspiration for the intricate portrait, wants to keep a low profile and will only refer to himself as ‘Keith the Salmon Fisherman’.

Keith, from Connah’s Quay, said: “It’s me in the portrait. If you saw me you couldn’t deny it – it’s the spitting image.

“The chap in question, whose tag is Random, came into the yard and asked if I would mind if he put one on the side of the buoy, then he said would I mind if he did one of me.

“I had no objection really - he took a photo and then a few weeks later it appeared on the buoy.”

Keith claims to have met Random on several occasions, but is remaining tight-lipped about his identity.

“I know who he is and I’ve met him three or four times,” he said.

“But I wouldn’t dream of disclosing who he is. All I will say is he’s a gentlemen and
a very modest man.”

Random revealed to Keith some of the secrets to his talent.

Keith said: “He is incredible. He spends about 30 hours doing these pieces. He said it takes him 25 hours to do the actual paintings and then four hours to put them up.

“From what I can gather he’s trying to do a series of these things around the area of different occupations.”

Keith is a big fan of his work.

“He is a very talented man,” he added.

Random first hit the headlines last summer when his distinctive black and white portraits cropped up at various sites across the Deeside area.

His work includes an intricate portrait of an old miner and an image of Father Christmas which both appeared on the old B&Q building in Queensferry last year.

Other examples of his work include the ‘Merchant Seaman’ in Dock Road, Connah’s Quay and the ‘Steelworker’ on the River Dee cyclepath – opposite the old Corus building.

- Have you seen Random’s work or do you know who he is? Email reporter Hayley Collins at hayley.collins@nwn.co.uk.