It was while British artist Lincoln Townley was painting Hollywood royalty as part of his Hollywood Icons series, that he first thought about capturing the essence of the ultimate royal icon, Queen Elizabeth ll.
Townley's portrait of The Queen, in celebration of her 90th birthday, will be formally unveiled at "LA to London Underground", a major art event during Brit Week in Los Angeles.
There is probably no living head of state or public figure anywhere in the world who is as recognizable and who commands as much respect as the Queen. Throughout sixty years on the throne she has sustained an astonishing work ethic based on a deep sense of public service. Whether you are a monarchist or not, you have to admire the resilience and personal power of the Queen.
The oil and acrylic painting has been created in Townley's unique contemporary style and features four faces of the Queen. "I liked the idea of an image that portrays her power but also her sensitivity," he said.
The portrait has already been purchased by an American collector for $413,000 following a private viewing in London last weekend. The paperwork for the sale will be dated April 21, 2016 - The Queen's 90th birthday.
Sir Michael Caine has predicted Townley will be the next Andy Warhol. Townley was inspired to paint as a boy by his grandfather. "He taught me to study people's faces. Remember the dimensions, he said. He gave me a piece of paper and some charcoal when I was eight and told me to keep drawing his face until I got it right. He used to drive me mad but by the time I was 12 I was good. Then I lost interest."
Townley's career as an artist didn't take off until he became clean and sober, five years ago. He had begun excessively painting into the small hours while still using. "I found it to be a cathartic way to lose the demonic side of where my brain tended to be going. I painted a collection called The Hunger (before his autobiography of the same name was published) about men's desire to consume and how what they consume ends up consuming them."
Then came sobriety. Four years ago, with no formal training but talent, determination and a suitcase full of his paintings, Townley knocked on the doors of 93 galleries in London. He was rejected by all of them. Now those same dealers are calling him and his art is exhibited in major galleries.
You can't take no for an answer. When someone says no, the next person can say yes. I hope I can inspire others in all mediums. When you keep getting rejected, keep going and find a way. Of course you need some luck.
Townley's lucky break came two years ago. Russell Brand suggested Townley paint him and the portrait be auctioned to raise funds for the Abstinence Based Recovery (ABR) Trust, of which Brand is a patron. The portrait sold in New York for $20,000 and Townley is now also a patron of ABR Trust. 
His portrait of David Bowie sold for $355,000 soon after the pop icon died. Townley is firmly established as highly collectible and internationally-acclaimed for his ability to capture the creative and sometimes turbulent energies that drive the world's most iconic stars to perform at the peak of their powers.
A regular visitor to LA, Townley would like to spend more time here. "The energy in LA of people pursuing their dreams, going to the edge of sanity to find something they really want is something I adore and totally identify with."