A CONTEMPORARY artist has been selected from hundreds of entries to exhibit her work at a prestigious London gallery.

A CONTEMPORARY artist has been selected from hundreds of entries to exhibit her work at a prestigious London gallery.

Paula Lundy, of Moorland Road, Weston, has seen huge success in the art world since she picked up a paint brush six months ago after not touching a canvas for eight years.

The former Priory Secondary School pupil lost interest in art and had a number of jobs including working as a bank cashier for three years.

Events in her life led her to feel inspired to paint again and Paula exhibited her work at the Lloyd Gill Gallery in Weston over Christmas.

Her first piece was sold earlier this year for just under �1,000.

The 29-year-old has recently been selected out of 1,026 British artists to feature her work in the Knapp Gallery in Regents Park London.

Paula said: "It was such a surprise and out of the blue to be asked to exhibit in London.

"I didn't approach them, they found me through an online art gallery I sell my work on.

"Apparently members of the royal family were amongst the first to see my art at the gallery.

"I am inspired by architecture both old and new and I am particularly fascinated with the way in which the aura of the moon illuminates the night and picks out the more interesting features of English architecture.

"The moon has now become a very prominent focal point in many of my paintings."

The exhibition entitled Structure features four of her paintings and will run until May 2.

Paula also has her own company, you're art, and prints images on canvas for photographers and the public.

Looking to the future Paula said: "One day I would like to start a foundation helping arty people to realise their dreams and give them the confidence they need to excel in the art world.