A STUDLEY wildlife artist is set for the biggest break of her professional career.

Diane Howe, of Allendale Crescent, has been invited to display her work at the nationally renowned Gloucestershire gallery Nature in Art, alongside such greats in the field as David Shepherd and Anthony Gibbs.

Mrs Howe said: "I've been there a few times and drooled over works by David Shepherd and Anthony Gibbs, wondering if one day I would ever be as good as they are or exhibit there.

"They have a residency programme where every year they invite the country's top wildlife artists to do a week in residence so the public can meet them.

"The standard is unbelievably high. I thought with a lot of practice, maybe I'd make it in about 20 years but then thought 'dream on'!

"However, several years ago I did some gorilla paintings for the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, of Gorillas in the Mist fame, and they have invited me to a big gorilla event being held there to raise money for the mountain gorillas in Rwanda."

The exhibition runs at the gallery in Twigworth from February 8-13 and as part of the event, Mrs Howe will be the resident artist and gorilla specialist from February 10-13.

She said: "The old saying reach for the moon and you will land among the stars certainly seems true in my case. I don't mind admitting I'm very nervous about having my work on show alongside such big names. If I do well, it will be the biggest break in my career as a wildlife artist so far."