A WEST?Devon artist is this week celebrating, after being awarded the highest accolade in the world for miniature painting.

The prestigious RMS Gold Memorial Bowl trophy has been presented to Rosalind Pierson for a watercolour measuring just 4ins x 3ins.

The Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gilders, whose sponsor is the Prince of Wales, holds its exhibition in London every autumn, and Rosalind's painting of the cliffs above Zennor Cove in Cornwall was chosen from 700 finalists who exhibited there.

And to top an amazing week came the announcement that Rosalind is to take over as president of the RMS next year.

She said: 'It is a privilege to be a member of a society with such a long and distinguished history and it is a great honour to be given the opportunity to help to shape its future, which promises to be equally successful.'

Rosalind began painting tiny pictures while at St Michael's School in Plymouth Road, Tavistock, where her art teacher Dorothy Ward was herself an accomplished artist.

Rosalind continued her studies at The Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art in Oxford, and within a year had her first miniature accepted by The Royal Academy.

In Tavistock, Rosalind staged her first solo exhibition back at her old school in 1976. She has continued to exhibit at the Mayflower Galleries and, since 2006, has been a popular and regular exhibitor at Elford Fine Art in Drake Road,?Tavistock.

In 1982 Rosalind co-founded the Hilliard Society with Sue Burton, with the intention of extending the appreciation and enjoyment of miniatures in the South West.

The society is now internationally renowned, and Rosalind's fame has also blossomed worldwide with a host of accolades, including silver and gold medal awards at The Paris Salon and triumphs in a multitude of shows across the United States and as far afield as Tasmania.