WHAT IS YOUR MISSION?

The mission is to be the first professional artist to travel into space specifically to create art.

HOW DO YOU FEEL BEING THE FIRST PROFESSIONAL ARTIST IN SPACE?

It's all rather humbling but starting to feel a bit of pressure to be honest.

TELL US ABOUT HOW THIS CAME ABOUT?

I was snowboarding for the season in Canada at the time and heard a whisper about the Virgin Galactic project ... I flicked Sir Richard an email offering to donate a painting to help decorate the rocket, thinking it would be cool to have one of my paintings in a spaceship.

He got back to me about 6 weeks later when I was diving in the carribean inviting me to meet with his team when next I was in London. By the time I got to town I started wondering if they had any spare seats ! VG loved my paintings and I proceeded to make one of the very first space bookings

WHY ARE YOU DOING IT?

My main goal is to raise awareness and funds for various environmental / ecological initiatives ... I'm also looking forward to the adrenalin rush !

WHAT PREPARATIONS ARE YOU MAKING?

Just trying to live each day as if it were my last.

HOW MUCH TRAINING DO YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH?

Initially there is a 3 day nastar space training intensive which I completed last year and we will undergo another round prior to leaving the planet. But in the meantime I will be mountain biking, diving and surfing to keep myself in shape.

HOW DID YOU RAISE THE MONEY TO GO?

It took me 3 years to save up the money via selling my paintings.

HOW FIT DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO MAKE THE JOURNEY?

You have to be pretty fit in general due to the g forces you are exposed to at re-entry speeds of over 2500 miles per hour.

ARE YOU NERVOUS? SECOND THOUGHTS?

I'm nervous about getting some form of creative block but generally very excited about the mission.

WHAT ARE YOU PLANS FOR WHEN YOU RETURN?

I'm planning on creating a series of paintings and exhibiting them on a global tour.