It’s exciting times for Gloucestershire artist Marilyn Gough, who will be moving into a new studio in Lansdown next week.

The Cheltenham-based artist will be moving to her new workplace at the Lansdown industrial estate where she will be displaying her latest works. Marilyn says the opportunity to move to a larger studio will make it easier for her to exhibit her collection of paintings. “I’m really excited to be moving into a wonderful new studio. The location is ideal and I can’t wait to get settled in,” she said.

Marilyn spent many a happy year living in south-west France, with the rugged landscape providing her with plenty of inspiration for her art. Continued Marilyn: “Living in France was hugely beneficial for my artistic career. The colours out there, especially in autumn, were just spectacular. Although we lived within a few miles of a busy motorway, our house was nestled away in a lovely little village that had fields of sunflowers surrounding it. The colours and the landscape were so inspiring for an artist. On a clear day you could see the Pyrenees, it was just a dream.”

If, like me, you thought a paintbrush was a prerequisite for an artist that works on canvases, in Marilyn’s case, you’d be wrong. As Marilyn explains: “I work on cotton canvases using acrylic paint. I don’t use brushes though, I just pour the paint onto the canvas. I often paint the canvas first, depending on what background I want. I sold a lot of my canvases when I was living in France. I’m well-travelled and have also been out to Spain, India and Dubai to exhibit and sell my work. I’ve been so lucky to have sold my works to several countries. I’ve exhibited all over the UK and many other countries. It’s always exciting when you can take your work to a new country, to people who may not be familiar with my work.

“All my pieces are 100% unique. If you asked me to produce two identical canvases I don’t think I could! When I’m pouring the paint onto the canvas it’s a complete lottery as to how it ends up looking. My job is to make sure the colours all work together.

“Lots of artists experiment with new methods and techniques, I’m no different. I love the surprise element of working with acrylic paint, you can produce two completely different canvases even though you’ve performed an identical process of applying the paint.

Marilyn has been a keen artist from a young age and, after working in marketing for many years, is now using her skills gained from that career to benefit her ability to sell her art. “I advertise my work on my website and am always very keen to welcome visitors to my gallery. Art is very subjective, what one person likes, another might not. That’s why I enjoy welcoming potential buyers to my studio. It gives me time to speak with them and find out what they’re looking for.

“I’ve been so lucky to have sold my works to several countries. I’ve exhibited all over the UK and many other countries.

“I’m so lucky to wake up every morning and do something I love. I hope my feelings of happiness are reflected in my art work.”