Up Close is an interview series for Biddulph Nub News, talking to local people about their businesses, hobbies, or anything else they want to chat about!

In the latest instalment of Up Close we spoke to Biddulph's Ruth Breen about her newly found passion for painting.

Ruth, aged 60, only took up painting in the summer, but has already found success, with her artwork being displayed at the Silk House in Leek.

Read the interview below...

What made you decide to start painting - have you always been arty?

"I've always been able to draw but never really got into painting. Painting is something I've only really been doing since the summer, when somebody gave me a set of acrylic paints. I found I really enjoyed it."

What was the first painting you did?

"I started with painting a rainbow for the NHS. I saw children doing it in lockdown, so I thought I would have a go as well to show my support. That's still in my window."

And what came after that?

"My husband does cartoons so I used an app to put them on mugs for family and friends. Then I had the idea to see how my paintings looked on a mug.

I did that and I put pictures on Facebook and got a good response to it, so that got me more and more into it."

How did you go from posting your art on Facebook to having it on display in Leek?

"We went to Leek and sat down in the Silk House for a coffee. We were chatting to the owners and they mentioned the fact that they often displayed work from local artists.

"I asked if they wanted to see a picture of my paintings, and they asked if I had ever thought about putting them on display, because they wanted to put them up on their wall!"

That must have been amazing to hear!

"I was so excited - to have my paintings on display after only starting so soon was amazing. I never would have thought at this age that I would be taking up painting."

Your artwork is very bright and colourful with plenty of flowers and nature. Are you trying to lift people's spirits in what is quite a dark time for many?

"Colour really lifts your spirits, and everyone is a bit down at the minute, so maybe subconsciously I was trying to brighten things up with my paintings. Art can make you feel more relaxed and put a smile on your face."

Have you shown your art anywhere else?

"My mum lives in assisted living, so I took some paintings for her to see too. My sister passed away around 14 years ago and her favourite flowers were sunflowers, so I painted some sunflowers for my mum. Everyone who was living there really enjoyed looking at the paintings."

And finally, what do you think of Biddulph?

"I have lived here for about 15 years and I absolutely love it in Biddulph. The countryside is amazing. Before I lived here I used to live in London, but I would never want to go back!"

Have you got a hobby, business or interest you want to promote? Let us know and we would love to interview you about it! Just message us on Facebook or email [email protected]