THEY say life beats you down and crushes the soul. Art reminds you that you have one. For Daniel Kitchener art isn’t just a hobby or a sideline, it’s his life.

At the age of just 35, Dan has earned himself a reputation as one of the best street artists on the British scene, winning numerous awards and working at events alongside the best graffiti artists in the business, including the elusive Banksy.

Dan, a former pupil of Billericay School, has been passionate about art since he was a child: “I’ve been drawing ever since I could hold a pen in my hand. As a child, I filled sketchbook after sketchbook with all sorts of stuff. I studied art at school, college and university, and have never stopped wanting to learn.”

As street art has become a hot commodity, artists like Dan can use “al fresco” art events as a powerful platform to reach the public.

Often Dan will spend hours, and sometimes entire weekends, outside in the cold turning a bland brick wall into a stunning, vibrant mural in front of hundreds of spectators. The only constant with Dan is that he’s looking for change.

“I hate sticking to one style or medium. Why restrict yourself when there’s so much out there?”, said Dan, of Nevendon Road, Wickford.

These days graffiti-style art, murals and mosaics can reach top dollar at auctions and draw the crowds at exhibitions, yet many people still refuse to believe this is art.

“What I would say to people who think street art isn’t art, is that it’s a matter of opinion, but I believe any medium that allows people to express themselves is a valid art form,” said Dan.

“Ever since the Stone Age, people have been drawing on walls to make a statement. Some graffiti is moving off the streets and into gallery spaces now, suggesting it’s becoming more widely accepted by the established art world.

“Whether that’s good or bad is open to debate. It can be argued that commercialisation detracts from the original spirit of self expression and dilutes the true nature of graffiti.”

Dan regularly works with a team of other street artists as part of the crew, Graffik Warfare.

“I have a lot of support and get inspiration from other artists such as Brave1, Snub23, Pilot, Asboluv, Don and Eyesaw,” he said.

“I’m sponsored by Dephecit Clothing, who provide me with amazing stuff to wear on events.”

Last year Dan, who perfected his creative skills at the Thurrock Technical College, earned the ultimate street cred by creating a stunning wall mural outside one of London’s coolest clubs.

Dan worked eight hours straight to spraypaint his Formation D design on a wall outside the Cargo club, in Shoreditch, London.

The eye-catching 4m by 2m creation is now sandwiched between murals by Banksy and another acclaimed street artist, Hush.

Modest Dan said: “I’m constantly amazed by other artists’ work. There’s a vast amount of talent out there. A lot of it unrecognised.

“So many pieces inspire me, and make me want to try harder and to explore new approaches. With my own work, it’s usually the piece I’m working on at the time that gives me the biggest buzz!”

Dan, who won a award at the 2008 Essex Open Arts Exhibition for his urban landscape spray paint piece the Watchful, has designed several CD covers for high profile groups including the Prodigy and has worked on TV adverts, music videos and animation projects.

As for what the future holds for Dan, as long as he’s got his trusty sketchbook and a few spray paints to hand, he’s happy.

“I try not to focus too much on the future,” he said. I would love to have my own solo show and to have some of my work published in print, but my main aims are to keep on exploring new techniques and to keep on learning.”