A St George artist living with obsessive-compulsive disorder has exhibited a collection of cartoons and portraits that he created at the height of his illness.

For years, Kirk Stacey, 31, was controlled by the rituals, guilt and anxiety created by his OCD, and he kept it a secret from friends and family.

But nine years later, Mr Stacey has just held an exhibition of work from those years, including two cartoon characters he created when anxiety ruled his life.

The characters are now used in cartoon strips, online, and in exhibitions to help and add colour and humour to the lives of people who suffer with OCD.

Mr Stacey said: "One day in 2000, I sat down to brainstorm two characters.

"Since I was bored, I drew a married couple who lived a grubby sort of existence. This was created off the top of my head; I was never a fan of copying. I named the glum-looking duo Harry and Hilda."

Over the next few years, Mr Stacey worked with his father on house maintenance and at the weekend he would relax, draw and drink as a treat.

By 2005, Mr Stacey was fed up with living with OCD and went on medication to help, and quickly gained confidence.

He said: "Looking back at my previous artwork I remembered the Harry pictures, which it seemed were made just to pass the time. I didn't feel I'd had a life in that relapse bubble.

"But then one day I pulled out all the Harry pictures and scattered them on the floor. Then I started to laugh. I really began to look at and enjoy my work.

"Now I'm happy to present a collection of reduced Harry pictures in full colour from a time in my life that was such a struggle."

As a result of showing his work at Room 212 in Gloucester Road last week, Mr Stacey has received dozens of commissions, and is now making a living from his art, as well as controlling his OCD.

Mr Stacey said: "I am also giving advice on how to boost confidence and overcome so called 'artistic hurdles' so people can feel confident in their talent.

"You could call it art counselling; I speak from experience as I have overcome depression to find myself having the best four years creatively in a job I love doing."

For more information, go to www.freewebs.com/kirksart.