Opening soon at Tenby Museum and Art Gallery is an exhibition by Anita Woods, a professional figurative artist living in Ceredigion.

Largely self-taught, Anita works mainly in watercolour. Her happiest moment was when she was asked to put in a submission for the Royal Watercolour society of Wales. She was elected a couple of years ago and now exhibits with them. 

“I love the transparency of watercolour and the wealth of colours,” she told the Tenby Observer. “Also, it has a mind of its own and you have to go with it.”

Anita has been absorbed by drawing and painting as long as she can remember. Her parents sent work to children’s television programmes like ‘Take Hart’, including a hedgehog drawing which was accepted and became her first exhibited work! Over the past three years, her paintings have been selected for the Wales Contemporary.

This will be Anita’s first exhibition in Tenby. It follows displays of work in the Royal Cambrian Academy Open, with the RWSW at Crickhowell, and shows at Aberystwyth and Cardigan.

‘By the Light of a Magical Moon’, opens on June 26 at Tenby Museum and Art Gallery.

“It’s a wonderful venue in a beautiful town. A really lovely museum and gallery that I have visited often. The space is big so my work, which is quite large scale, can be hung well.

“It’s quite an amazing thought that work by Augustus John is in the next room,” added Anita. 

Her animal paintings are inspired by local fauna and flora, Celtic tales and the ever-present music in her studio.

“My first love is hares. They have inspired me the most. I love the way they will observe you, watch you back. I try to capture the expression and the feeling,” Anita said.

“I’ve been working with the Welsh Wildlife Trust to produce some t-shirts and tote bags with my artwork on to raise money for the trust.”

All work displayed will be available for purchase, and a selection of prints and cards in the museum shop. The exhibition runs until August 1.