A TAVISTOCK woman whose painting of Margaret Thatcher was requested for her private collection when she was Prime Minister has been recognised in a who's who book of important people from all professions.
Maria Danuta Croft has been accepted into the Biography of International Biography, which reflects contemporary achievements in every profession and field of interest in as many countries as possible.
This is the 35th edition of the book, used by academics and for research, and more than one million biographies have been published within it.
Individuals have to be nominated for the diploma and book entry from the International Biographical Centre in Cambridge and so it was a complete surprise to Mrs Croft, who has lived in Tavistock for 20 years, when she received a certificate in the post.
'I don't know who nominated me but I would like to thank whoever it was for the recommendation,' she said. 'All my working life I have been a painter and worked in a broad spectrum from theatre sets to murals, display art and individual paintings which have been commissioned or displayed in galleries for sale. It's very nice to be recognised in this way.'
Mrs Croft has paintings in galleries in eight different countries, including North America, Canada and Australia, but has always been based in the West Country, having studied art at Plymouth College.
In Tavistock her work can be seen in local galleries and in the mayor's chamber where her artwork depicting a town criers' rally in the town is hanging on the wall.
She has also designed and painted sets for amateur theatrical productions in Tavistock and been involved in lots of charity work.
The artist said one of her most prestigious moments was when she received a letter from 10 Downing Street asking for her painting of the then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to be included in her private collection. Mrs Thatcher had seen the painting on a visit to the Conservative Club in Tavistock.