A PLYMOUTH couple have started a business producing graffiti and illustration and, appropriately for a week containing Valentine's day, it was born from love.

Anna and Roy Christie studied graphics together at Plymouth College of Art and Design, as it was then known, 18 years ago.

But they led separate lives until meeting up again at the newly named Plymouth College of Art in 2007, when Mrs Christie was exhibiting her work from an illustration and design print degree.

The couple married last year and have now decided to launch a joint venture called Love What We Do – because they also love their work.

The Stoke-based enterprise produces innovative graffiti artwork for businesses and homes, such as signs, interiors, and shop fronts.

And it provides illustration for children's books, character design, murals, cards, pamphlets, portraits and personalised invitations for birthdays and weddings.

Mr and Mrs Christie said their ideas can help "create visual impact" for start-up businesses keen to make an immediate impact, and those whose identities need a facelift.

They see their work is particularly suitable for tattoo studios, hair and beauty salons, bars, cafes, schools and community centres, organisations involving young people or animals – they even get requests to decorate children's bedrooms and playrooms.

The business was created after the couple enrolled on a course with start-up organisation Outset Plymouth, last year.

"They gave us the confidence to go for it," said Mrs Christie.

Mr Christie has built a reputation as a graffiti artist during the past 25 years, having worked in London and Bristol, as well as Plymouth.

Among projects he has been involved in was a Plymouth City Council-backed scheme allowing youngsters to paint on building site hoardings and he is keen to banish any "misconceptions" about graffiti artists, who work legally and don't vandalise.

"There's a cultural statement here," he said. "Every decent-sized park should have a purpose-built wall they (artists) can go to. That's the link that's missing, something that can gel traditional culture and youth culture."

Mrs Christie added: "We are behind the times. There is a negative view of graffiti. In London, Bristol and Brighton they embrace it. It brings money into the city."

Mr Christie's work is already visible around Plymouth, for instance at Stoke's Blockhouse Park, and Ivybridge's Dame Hannah Rogers Trust, and he said: "I have done just about every tattoo shop, apart from a couple, in the city."

The artists have also received support from city businessmen including Nick Marker, of skateboard shop Prime Delux; Jerry Eunson, of the Millbridge Inn and The Firkin Doghouse pubs; Steve Smith from the Fortesque and carpet magnate Larry Spear.

Mrs Christie said she is planning to pitch in with the graffiti work, and added: "I want to get more into that, but I have the illustration on the side.

"And I have written a couple of children's books I want to get published. I have been asked to illustrate a couple of children's books.

"I did our wedding invites. Everyone commented on them and people have now asked for wedding invites. I'm also doing portraits.

"Colourful play areas for schools would be another good thing we could do and something we are going to try and get into."

Mr Christie said the business is also looking at branching into merchandise, such as T-shirts, and "maybe some prints".

Mrs Christie said the long-term ambition would be a gallery.

"We will have to see how it goes," she said. "If you can make a living from doing something you love you are lucky.

"But we want other people to love what we do as well – making money is second."