An artist from Pulford has been handpicked from thousands to appear alongside work by some of Britain’s leading figurative painters.

Andrew Kinmont has been chosen out of more than 1,250 entries by the Royal Institute of Oil Painters (RIOP) to display his work at the Mall Galleries in London at an exhibition from December 2 to 13.

Founded in 1882, RIOP chooses only the very best national and international submissions, with past exhibitors including Walter Sickert, Dame Laura Knight, Fantin Latour and Auguste Rodin.

Andrew, whose work is inspired by the Cheshire countryside, said: “Not only is this wonderful national recognition of my work, it also raises much needed awareness of artists working outside of London, particularly in the North West.

Andrew Kinmont's work has been chosen for an international exhibition
Andrew Kinmont's work has been chosen for an international exhibition

“Hopefully it will encourage more local artists to put themselves forward on the larger UK art stage.

Andrew has focused on his art career for more than a decade and works from his own studio near Chester from which he often sells local work.

He said: “My paintings are concerned with an emotional response to the natural world, in particular to the quality of light.

“I love the sensuality of paint, used in direct, gestural brushstrokes, and its ability to evoke the rough, raw experience of the natural world,” he added.