A LOCAL artist with a passion to portray the beauty of Tavistock is busy creating a new painting of the town — and is offering a limited edition for one lucky winner.

Liz Jones is known for her paintings of local areas including St Ives, Looe, Plymouth, Dartmoor and St Agnes. She was commissioned to paint two pictures of Tavistock’s Duke Street and West Street in 1992 by former town mayor, borough councillor and auctioneer, the late Robin Fenner.

Liz, who now lives near the Tamar Bridge, first saw Tavistock from a great height over the viaduct looking down from a steam train on her way to Launceston as an evacuee in World War Two.

Liz, whose family live in Tavistock, said: ’I must have been four or five years of age. I never ever thought that one day I would be an artist and painting this lovely town.’

Liz decided to tackle a third painting of Tavistock’s Bedford Square and town hall — but wanted to allow the people of Tavistock and local areas to name the painting.

The painting is still in progress (pictured) but people can submit their answers to Liz with a chance of winning a limited signed edition.

Liz started to paint late in life as a bit of fun, she said and never thought that it would ‘take off’.

‘I started by painting my husband who had injured his back and was laying on a camp bed in the sitting room recovering. I did it for a laugh and it turned out ok, so I did a few more of him — sitting in the garden, planting flowers and the cats digging them up, etc.

‘I took them to the Armada Gallery (Plymouth) and all the paintings sold.’

From this recognition, Liz was noticed by Mr Fenner and the rest was history.

For more information visit www.lizjonesplymouth.co.uk or visit her Facebook and Instagram pages. To submit an entry email [email protected] before closing date of Friday, May 15.