"An early sketch for 'The Artists Studio' where I was trying out compositions. Here instead of a doorway the Beatles appear. The pose of the figure on the left and the lemons on the table is a reference to 'Luncheon on the Studio' by Manet. I added the Beatles and reference to their Hamburg period with the Star Club as I liked the iconography.

I was taking reality and fantasy and mixing them in the same space. I was imagining what it would be like if the Beatles were in the room almost like virtual reality. My guitar doesn't appear in this early version. But I have painted musical notes on the canvas as a cartoon idea of the Beatles actually playing - a kind of visual joke. I particularly like the cheeky expression of the character on the right behind me at the easel. My friend from St Helens Steve Mitchell" - Christian Furr