A BRAND new collection of work is on display at the John Leach Gallery in Langport.

The artist is Louise Waugh and the title of her exhibition is called ‘A view of my own’.

Speaking about her work, Louise said: “My paintings come from a delight in the visual world around me.

“I have no particular theme except for choosing something that excites me and a love of the natural world, like the shapes and colours that I see in a landscape - sometimes with a human element included for a narrative.

"I feel particularly drawn to Cornwall, to the sea and to wild places where I go off to paint as often as possible.

A recent trip to Italy last year also proved to be very inspiring.

Creating art has always been core to my being. From my early days studying etching in Granada, Spain, I have always taken the path of the artist which defines who I am.

“I began exhibiting age 20 and my first exhibition was at the then ‘Bristol Arts Centre’ where I exhibited large woodcuts and linocuts.

“I am based in a rural studio in Wiveliscombe, West Somerset, painting primarily in oil and acrylic.

"My joy is to be out, whatever the weather, with my sketchbook and a small box of watercolours and pencils, taking down the scene as I see it.

“Sometimes the sketches lay dormant in a book for years and then I decide to reignite the moment of when I first drew them.

“Sketching is an essential part of the process for me, the image is instantly imprinted on the mind, something that can’t be achieved by looking through a lens.

“Once I have the beginnings I return to my studio and infuse the subject with my imagination and the colour palette.

"I am interested in expressing the essence of what I am depicting.”

You can catch the exhibition at the John Leach Gallery at Muchelney Pottery nr Langport until May 29. Gallery open Monday - Saturday, 9am-1pm, 2pm-5pm (inc bank holidays)