Not having studied art at school, I was introduced to painting through evening classes by an enthusiastic friend. I have never looked back. Initially, most pieces were watercolours, and I was very lucky to have two excellent teachers. Although I had broadened my repertoire to include pastels and acrylics, my firm favourite remained watercolours for a long time.

When I arrived in Spain in 2008, I was keen to meet a group who would allow me to continue painting alongside them. I heard about Laura Lopez Castellanos, who runs a workshop for all abilities and media at her ‘Espacio De Creacion’ in Horteleza, Madrid. She really inspired me to develop further. Having learned the techniques of painting she challenged me to experiment with new media and to work at different scales. I began to paint acrylics, using colour with much more impact and depth. Increasingly, I use digitally manipulated images to form the basis of my paintings.It could be said that I use the two media to produce startlingly different pictures.

On my return to Carlisle in 2016, I resumed painting with the Scotby Art Group, and I joined Carlisle and Border Arts, where I continue to enjoy painting. I exhibit around the north Cumbria area, and am part of the artists’ co-operative at Fountain Gallery, Wigton.Anne Kelly