A FORMER graphic designer with 30 years experience as a graphic designer and illustrator is launching her first exhibition.

Ruth Drew is exhibiting her work as part of the Somerset Arts Weeks, 2017, Venue 76 at Shakspeare Glass, Foundry Lane in Taunton.

The main subject for her first exhibition called Natural Instincts is the flora and fauna, found along the many well trodden routes around her locality.

Living in the Somerset countryside, Ruth’s work is often influenced by the daily walks taken with her dogs.

Ruth said: “I have been an artist for over 30 years working as a graphic designer and illustrator.

“As a painter I have been working using water colours but more recently I have been using acrylics.

“My spark for painting came from having two Springer Spaniels, Bella and Boris, and going out with them.

“It is about taking time to look and see everything around you like the sheep in the fields or blackberries in the hedgerow.

Somerset County Gazette:

“Since taking up painting I have been more observant as I tend to look at things differently.

“It is almost like looking things through a dog’s eyes. They are always rummaging in hedgerows.

“For me it is a case of looking at things even if it is a different light when I take pictures.

“I use the pictures I take as reference.

“I have 21 paintings in the exhibition and the colours are eye popping.

“This is nine months of work and I am very happy “As a painter I feel the pictures are an emotional response for people to connect to.

“Doing paintings are emotionally gratifying and it allows you to shut out the world.

“Forget about supper I am painting. I like to prepare first and put a colour on the canvass as a background colour and then I am away.”

The exhibition runs from September 23 – October 7.

Monday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm