Artist holds first exhibition at Clitheroe gallery

Mum-of-two Leanne Dunstan, 44 of Edgworth, has always had a creative flare, working for two decades as an in-house designer for various companies.

But after welcoming her second son, Charlie, seven, Leanne, who is also mum to Jack, 12, decided to give up her full-time job, working part-time, to focus more time on doing what she loves most - creating beautiful pieces of watercolour art.

Setting up a studio in the basement of her family home, Leanne – also known as ‘Red Betty’ – has spent six years perfecting her unique style, the result being her first exhibition, Natural Quirks.

Explaining the nickname, Leanne, who was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, and studied at Gray’s School of Art, also in Aberdeen, said: "The name Red Betty has been with me a long time. “Red” as I am a Scottish redhead, “Betty’ in memory of my Grandma.”"

The art series is being showcased at the Longitude Art Gallery, Clitheroe, from October 8, and will run for two months.

As the exhibition’s name suggests, Leanne, who gave up her part-time job six months ago to focus completely on her art, draws inspiration from the natural world around us, using intricate watercolours to weave together detailed images of wild animals, combined with illustrations of flora and fauna.

Discussing her art, Leanne, who is married to Gary Dunstan, 54, founder of a homeless charity said: ‘I wanted to create something that the viewer could connect with, through characters and stories drawn from my own experiences. At first appearance, it might look like a pretty picture of a wild animal but it’s much more than that – each piece tells a story.

"All of my art features butterflies, as they have a spiritual significance for me. After my granny passed away a red admiral butterfly flew into my house on her birthday. Ever since I’ve been visited by butterflies on important days and dates – even in the middle of winter.

"The first piece in my installation, Forgot Me Not, is inspired by her. Although these stories are personal, in a lot of ways they’re not. We’re all human, we all go through life, love and death. The hope is people connect with my art – based on my past, present and future experience - and have their own unique take on it."

Each of the nine major pieces focuses on wild animals, woven together with intricately painted butterflies and flowers, and will be displayed alongside a short piece of prose, also crafted by Leanne.

The nine major pieces of art are A2 and framed, costing between £2k - £2.5k, there are also limited edition unframed prints selling for £300. Plus four new 'minis' 41cm x 41cm, costing £250 for prints, along with two framed silk scarves, 90cm x 90cm, costing £700 each.

Three of the framed originals have already sold to a collector, with six left to be snapped up by art lovers.

To find out more about the Natural Quirks exhibition, visit www.naturalquirks.com and www.www.longitude.gallery