As any artist who has tried it knows, watercolour is a difficult, temperamental and often unforgiving medium.

First time artists are often drawn to watercolour because of its luminous delicacy but discover too late that its apparent simplicity is deceptive. Initial attempts at painting with it are often either insipid or “muddy” -- the colours dull and heavy on the paper.

Lakes District artist Gerda Volz’s watercolour paintings are neither pallid nor muddy. She achieves a rich, vibrant colour while depicting a wide variety of subject matter that ranges from still life and florals to scenery and animals.

This use of bold colour gives Gerda’s paintings unusual impact. Gerda, who is for the most part self-taught, says she has always loved art and has painted for many years. “Even in the early grades I liked art and always had an ‘A’,” she comments.