A FEW years ago, Alexander Millar was earning a living by cleaning windows in Morpeth.

Today, the artist has a celebrity following and a major show of his new work is currently running at the Great North Museum: Hancock until May 8.

Born and raised in the small mining community of Springside just outside Kilmarnock on the west coast of Scotland, Millar moved to Newcastle in 1976.

He became a professional artist in 1988, using the people and everyday scenes of the North East as his inspiration.

What’s your first memory?

My first memory was the day JFK was shot in Dallas. I remember sitting playing on the floor with my building bricks wondering which one to eat next and then my Gran shouting out ‘they’ve shot him, they’ve shot him’, ‘Oh dear Oh’, ‘they’ve shot him’.

What were you like as a child?

I think I was a little self-willed. My Mum used to tell me how it took two people to hold me down while I got my nappy changed. I was always a bit of a daydreamer too. I would always get told off by teachers for looking out of the window, while being taught such important things such as logarithms and Latin… subjects that have be truly invaluable to me in my adulthood… yeah right!

What childhood games did you play?

Football, football and more football with a dash of various forms of tig….or tag as some would say….up high tig, low tig, tunnel tig, string tig. There was also a game called LEO… that involved trying to release your teammates from a den and trying not to be knocked unconscious by three severe blows to the head in the process. Once you reached the den and were still compos mentis one would shout ‘LEO’ then all your teammates would run off and leave you to get beaten up for all your trouble.

Also a wonderful acting game called dead man’s fall where we would get shot and whoever did the most dramatic death was given the privilege of being the next gunman.

What music did you like and what was the first record you bought?

I think it was either Jean Genie by David Bowie or Chirpy Chirpy Cheep Cheep by Middle Of The Road, classic.

Did you have a family pet?

We had a dog that was a cross between a dalmatian, collie and a poodle. It was the closest thing you could get to a punk dog. It hated me too and attacked me one day as I was teasing it and tore my eyelid in two. My parents were so horrified by this that they got rid of me and kept the dog.

Were your school days the best days of your life?

I guess they were pretty good. Lots of mischief and angst, in equal measure.

Were you ever bullied?

No, they knew better. I was one of those kids who would prefer to have a laugh than fight but I would reach a point if I were pushed, well you would have to stand well away from me.

What were your favourite TV programmes?

The Monkees, The Banana Splits, Ripcord, The Magic Boomerang, Thunderbirds, Fireball XL5 and the Singing Ringing Tree.

What did you want to do when you grew up?

Be a pop star. I told you I was a day dreamer.

How did you spend your weekends?

My weekends were spent playing football and going fishing mostly. If I was particularly naughty I would blow a raspberry into the overflow pipe while my mum was on the toilet. It had the same effect as you get blowing down an alpine horn, with a little scream at the end.

Who was your first love?

It was my wee old Mam, despite her right bong eye, left cat’s eye and scarecrow hairstyle. I kid you not.

What was the most important thing in the world to you?

I guess was my bike, which was a little red Raleigh one. It gave me a real sense of freedom in that I could go as far away as possible though not too far away so I would miss my dinner.

What did you wear then, that you would never wear now?

I had what I referred to as my Battenberg jacket which was a little marzipan, coloured box jacket that had small pink and purple squares and a diagonal zip. My trousers were BLUE. I mean as loud as you can say the word and they were made from a material that Eddie the Eagle’s trousers were made of – they didn’t crease, just spring back into shape as if they were made of foam and the whole ensemble was finished off with a pair of black suede brothel creepers. Ah, the 70s the decade that taste forgot.

How have you changed from your teenage self?

Loads … thankfully.

Where did you go on holiday?

Largs or Ardrossan to play on the beach. We rarely stayed in a hotel or travelled far away from home.

Would the young you be pleased with the adult you?

He’d better be or else I’ll kick his backside after all he put me through.

If you could go back in time what would tell your 15-year old self?

Believe in yourself.