A struggling artist has seen his career take off - after being told he looks like the late, great Vincent van Gogh.<br /><br />Carl Stafford, 59, had been compared to the famed Dutchman for years.<br /><br />But his own paintings didn't get the same recognition - until he did a story about his likeness.<br /><br />Carl says that, since the article went out, he's seen a surge in interest - with more than 100 people turning up to a recent open house.<br /><br />He's also sold a few pieces - including one for £500.<br /><br />Carl said: "It's been amazing - I've had such good feedback. I sold one painting for £500 which I was really chuffed with.<br /><br />"A professional artist came round, he was very surprised that nobody had taken me onboard and helped me out."<br /><br />Carl, a grandad-of- four, said that he is now taking life "day by day" - but loving the rebirth of his career.<br /><br />He said: "It is mind-blowing - you can't put it into words. It is such an honour to know that your work and name are out there as an artist.<br /><br />"The biggest thrill any artist gets is that his or her work is on someone's wall.<br /><br />"I have an exhibition lined up for next year but I am taking things day by day.<br /><br />"You have to be realistic but I have a few ideas running around in my mind."<br /><br />Carl had been compared to van Gogh for years, and says staff at a van Gogh exhibition once did a "double take" when he turned up and put on a straw hat.<br /><br />And the comparisons aren't just visual.<br /><br />Carl, a grandad-of-four, also lives just yards away from where van Gogh briefly stayed in Ramsgate, Kent in 1876.<br /><br />He lives in the town during a short stint as a teacher at a boy's boarding school in April 1876, when he was 23 years old.<br /><br />When the school, based on Royal Road, moved to Isleworth, London in June 1876, van Gogh followed.<br /><br />While van Gogh's stay in Ramsgate may have been fleeting, Carl has been determined to make the town his artistic home.<br /><br />His kitchen is entirely ocean-themed, completed with turtles and fish, while his living room has an ancient Egyptian theme.<br /><br />Carl said: "Once I saw this flat I fell in love with it. When I realised Van Gogh had lived here it was even better.<br /><br />"It was amazing as an unknown artist that had just moved here to find that out. <br /><br />"The flat hadn't been painted in about 20-odd years. The landlady didn't mind me painting - she said it's an improvement.<br /><br />"It's like walking into a gallery. I love it and I think van Gogh would have been impressed."
