A PAINTER opened her studio to show people in Bicester a series of her work as part of Oxfordshire Artweeks.

Victoria Stanway's collection of paintings called Landscapes of the Mind depicted scenes and themes from her past and present.

It was on display at 2 Dunnock Close, off Mallards Way, Langford Village.

The 36-year-old became a full-time landscape and portrait painter earlier this year after working as a film and television lighting co-ordinator.

She said her pictures depicted the memories and feelings of growing up in a dying mill town in Lancashire, where she originally came from.

She said: "I always loved painting and drawing, but never knew what to do with my ability.

"I was trying to fit in painting around my job, but felt I never had enough time to exploit opportunities and ideas so I handed my notice in just after Christmas."