Sue Townsend has been a leading figure in the arts scene in Gloucestershire for many years and now the acclaimed artist has helped open a new art gallery in Tetbury.

Just Art has only been open for three months but the gallery is welcoming customers in increasing regularity, something Sue says is great for all the local artists who have their work exhibited there.

She said: “I’m very pleased with how the first few months have gone. It’s wonderful to offer opportunities to talented local artists to exhibit their work. Every month there will be a featured artist who will exhibit and sell their work. The feedback we’ve received from visitors has been very positive which is obviously pleasing.”

Sue continued: “Some of my earliest memories involve painting. I can remember when I was six or seven I used to enjoy mixing colours. Although I did art at school I never continued after getting married and having children. In more recent times my daughter bought me a lovely set of brushes and paints for my 60th birthday and I joined the Tetbury Art Group. I heard about the wonderful artist Trevor Waugh and spent three or four years learning from him, that’s when my passion for painting really took off. Sue has been painting professionally for close to two decades.

“At the same time the local art group was looking like disbanding, that’s when I said I would volunteer to run it. A few years later, after moving house I decided to run the group from my studio in my home in Tetbury. I also used to take a group of people abroad for painting trips. We had some great times over in France, Italy and Portugal.

“A lot of people say they can’t draw but if you can write your name you can draw, like everything it just takes time to get to a stage where you are good. The number one thing when you are painting is to establish where the light is coming from, that’s my number one tip. I’ve had a lot of fun and made some great friends. Us artists look out for each other.”

Living in the heart of the Cotswolds has proved to be a major inspiration for Sue, who enjoys painting the local landscape.

She added: “Landscapes and pet portraits take up a lot of my time. I love the open air, the trees and the countryside. Living in this part of the Cotswolds is extremely inspiring, I adore going out into the countryside and taking inspiration from my surroundings.”