AN art exhibition is set to take place in Ilminster on May 18 in line with the easing of Covid-19 restrictions.

Ilminster Arts Centre, at the Meeting House, is welcoming ceramic artist Liz Watts and talented painter Susan Thomson to display their work for nearly a month at the arts venue.

Ms Watts lived in France for 10 years and studied sculpture and ceramics at l’Atelier des Beaux-Arts Henri Matisse, Creil.

She returned to the UK in 2002 and now creates artwork in ceramic, porcelain, papier-mache and bronze.

“My passion is to represent the character and mood of the subject rather than just a physical form,” said Ms Watts.

“I love the challenge of 3D work.”

Before becoming an artist, Ms Watts work as a vet in both a farm and a small animal practice. She uses this influence within her work.

“My roots in veterinary medicine give an interesting anatomical edge to my interpretation of ‘the nature of the beast’,” she added.

“I exhibit my work throughout the UK and often in installation formats.

“These include a beach, a banquet, a garden and a bedroom.

“This gives me the chance to paint a scene with the work and the challenge of having new ideas and of making new pieces, which will add to these scenes.”

Ms Tomson is a botanical artist from Topsham in Devon.

She trained in graphic design and worked in advertising, before studying botanical drawing and watercolour painting at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Ms Tomson has displayed her work across the UK, including at the Royal Scottish Academy, the Royal Botanic Garden, and the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society, Gardening Scotland in Edinburgh.

. In London she has been included in the Royal Academy of Art’s Summer Exhibition, the Llewellyn Alexander Not the Royal Academy and the Westminster Art Gallery with the Society of Botanical Artists. She exhibits at the Majlis Gallery in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where she also teaches botanical workshops.

Both artists’ work will be on display at the Ilminster Arts Centre Meeting House from May 18.

The exhibition will be open from Tuesday until Friday, 9.30am until 4pm, and from 9.30am until 3pm on Saturday. It will run until June 12.