The National Water Sports' Centre. Nottingham. Aerial view Print

Rita Mitchell BA Hons 39 Long Lane, Attenborough, Notts England NG9 6BN I trained and worked as a colourist in textile design before taking a Degree Course in Fine Arts and English. For fifteen years I ran my own art publishing business for the South Wales Tourist industry. From 1992 I concentrated on building up my Art Publishing Business. I have published over 250 Watercolour images. In 1993 I printed my first Wales in Watercolour calendar: this was established as an annual publication. I have sold cards, prints and calendars at W H Smith, Boots and Tesco as well as Department Stores and Tourist attractions. Now freed from commercial necessity, I draw and paint so that I can really experience the world around me. When I paint from life I am exploring reality in a way that is not possible to do merely by looking or taking a quick photograph. Painting is essentially a journey for me. Initially, I have an idea – I let it incubate in my mind - then, when I am ready to paint, I make a start with the main colours and cover all of the canvas. The idea then becomes adjusted to the act of putting on the paint and the final outcome is always a surprise. You have to learn to let the process take over and judge the moment to stop. It’s a great experience when it goes well. I like to paint often and I feel uncomfortable if I can not do this. It is a great honour to be able to create paintings which give other people pleasure. I have original works in private collections in Australia, America and Japan and my published prints and calendars have been sent all over the world. In 2005 I published the final calendar in the Wales in Watercolour series. I have won three Holbrook Trust Awards since I became a member of Nottingham Society of Artists on arrival in Nottingham. 2002 Exhibited at the Spring Fair 2002 at the NEC 2002 2004 and 2006 Solo exhibitions at Nottingham Society of Artists Gallery. 2004 Fifteen of my paintings were exhibited in Osaka, Japan after being chosen by Hankyu International. 2005 Elected a Fellow of the Nottingham Society of Artists with whom I exhibit regularly. 2006 Chairman of the Spotted Dog Art Group in Beeston. I now concentrate on Painting and Teaching and regularly exhibit at the Nottingham Society of Artists Gallery, Friar Lane.