INTERNATIONAL wildlife artist Lauren Bissell is exhibiting in Weymouth. Lauren, who was borne in Birmingham and now lives in Bournemouth, has growing status as an international wildlife artist and her work is recognised as a good investment for the future.

Artist Martin Leighton is the proprietor of the Leighton Gallery where Lauren’s work will be on show for th enext fortnight.

He said: “Lauren is never entirely happy unless she has a paintbrush or camera in her hand.

“Her art and photography are not just a job, they are a way of life and although she mainly paints wildlife, she also likes to work with fantasy and surreal subjects, landscapes and portraiture.”

He added: “The fantasy paintings are inspired by the classics of literature and music and re-tell the stories, drawing on the symbolism of the time interwoven with up-to-date imagery.”

Lauren is a member of the prestigious World Nature Artists Group, Marwell International Wildlife Art Society, the Hilliard Miniaturists Society and the Fine Art Trade Guild.

Recent awards she has won include the Mary Scott-Kestin cup for miniature wildlife painting, Wildscape Artist of the Year for her depiction of a golden lion tamarin and Birdwatch Artist of the Year for her painting of a herring gull at Dancing Ledge.

Lauren was also the runner up in the Society for All Artists artist of the year competition.

Lauren exhibits regularly with The Hilliard Society and Marwell International Wildlife Art Society. Work has also been exhibited at The Mall Galleries in London and at The Royal Birmingham Society of Art.

You can see her work at the Leighton Art Gallery, 8 Trinity Street, Weymouth from today until Saturday, April 18. The gallery is open Monday to Friday 10am-5.30pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am-4pm. Admission is free. Call 01305 767475 for further details.