High-fliers have been swapping the boardroom for easels – with equal success.

Two successful businesspeople have joined forces to indulge their artistic side and will be exhibiting as part of the Brighton and Hove’s Artists Open Houses.

Tony Mills showed early artistic promise but did not pick up a paintbrush for 30 years after taking on a globe-trotting corporate career with American Express.

After rediscovering art he has carved out a successful sideline selling grand Turner-esque landscapes all over the world, painting during evenings and weekends while working at Amex full-time.

Tony said: “When I was growing up everybody thought I was going to end up making a living as artist. But with all the wisdom of a 16-year-old I didn’t think it was a real job, so I decided to turn my back on it.

“When I picked up a pencil I felt like I was 16 again, it was unbelievable.

“In the corporate world we do things for other people, but with art you can be selfish and do things for yourself. And if people want to buy it, then that’s fabulous.

“It’s benefited me not just in a corporate way, but in the way I relate to people.

“It reminds you people have lives and interest outside work and has given me more empathy and understanding."

Tony is exhibiting in his Kemp Town flat with Emma de Polnay.

The managing director of My Special PA, which supplies PA support to creative businesses, also combines business and art.

Emma, who has a fine arts background, said: “I worked in TV set design for ten years but it left me burnt out. My life got squeezed out by the long hours and I needed a change – though I wanted to stay in the creative field.”

So Emma took a pay-cut and got a job as an artist’s PA.

She was told that she was so good she could carve a career out of it.

As a result, Emma founded My Special PA, which gives bespoke admin and business support to creative professionals, and now oversees a six-strong team.

While working with artists and designers she makes time to pursue her own work, doing intensive weekends and constantly sketching.

Emma added: “It can be hard to get into the right frame of mind if you’ve had a tough day of business, but Tony and I really support each other’s need to be creative.”

Tony and Emma will be exhibiting at Flat 2, 17 Belgrave Place, Brighton, every weekend in May from 11am- 6pm.