A Newton Abbot businessman and former croupier is staking his future on an audacious online auction.

Nigel Evans, 49, the joint owner of Xylophone Kitchens, woke up a year ago and found he had an inexplicable burning ambition to paint.

After popping out to buy a few materials he set about putting his first mark ever on a canvas.

Twelve months later and he has completed 70 abstract works which are now for sale on eBay – with bids starting at a cool £1.5 million.

Each acrylic features a face together with a letter of the alphabet or punctuation mark.

Unlike leading artists such as Tracey Emin or Damien Hirst, Nigel claims to have no skill, nor that his work represents anything in particular.

'The paintings speak for themselves and can mean what anyone wants them to,' he said.

'There is no skill in what I do and I don't have any real inspiration, it must be subconscious.'

Prior to taking up a brush Nigel, who is single and lives in Abbotskerswell, has enjoyed a variety of careers.

He has worked in shops, was a croupier in the Bahamas, owned a corporate entertainment firm and was a kitchen designer with a leading DIY firm before buying into Xylophone Kitchens four years ago.

He said the latest evolution in the Evans story was driven by a mystery force.

'It's very very odd, all I know is that now I have discovered painting I just want to keep on producing more and more work.

'I think £1.5 million is about the right price. I've been watching different artists' blogs and when they sell something for a few million quid I think blimey, it is possible.

'As I said there is no skill to what I do, I just put lines on paper and eventually there is is a face looking back at me.

'But the people I was expecting people to ridicule me have in fact been very supportive and they like what they see.'

Asked if he was now a businessman or artist he replied: 'A bit of both I guess, needs must.'

The closing date for the auction is Tuesday. Nigel is still waiting for his first bid.