A TAVISTOCK artist has been awarded the prestigious title Miniature Artist of America for her contribution to this specialised form of art in the United States.
Rosalind Pierson took the news by telephone from eminent miniaturist Kay Petryszak, president of the World Federation of Miniature Artists.
It is a considerable honour to be awarded the title, as just ten outstanding miniaturists a year are invited to become signature members of the Miniature Artists of America Society.
Rosalind, who divides her time between Tavistock and Wells, exhibits her work in London, York and America — a selection of her paintings is also on display in Mayflower Galleries.
Rosalind specialises in painting countryside and Dartmoor scenery, but the foot and mouth crisis has even affected her work.
'I was out for around three hours last week and there wasn't a lane or a field or anything open,' she said.
She generally photographs her studies, and paints from the prints.
'Given the British weather I don't think I'd get much done from life!' said Rosalind.
'The purists believe sketching is the only way — for me the end result is the most important thing. I don't think it applies so much to miniature work anyway as you need the very fine detail,' she said.
Rosalind, who jointly founded the Hilliard Society of Miniaturists almost 20 years ago, has been a full member of the British RMS since 1979 and a winner of numerous awards including a best in exhibition from the Miniature Art Society of Florida in 1996.
West Devon residents will have the opportunity to view work by Rosalind and other Hilliard Society members when Mayflower Galleries holds an exhibition in late September this year.