An artist who has featured on Grand Designs and has had her work presented to royalty will be at Rutland's legendary Barnsdale Gardens this June and July.

From 17 June to 2 July, the work of Marie-Thérèse King will be on display at Barnsdale Gardens in a free exhibition.

She is inspired by nature, creating bird, flora and fauna artwork using a technique called Batik. Batik is an ancient Indonesian art-form of layering melted wax and water based dyes on Indonesian cotton to create vibrant paintings. 

An example of her work. Image credit: Marie-Thérèse.

She describes herself as "a non-digital designer, creating exquisite batik textile designs inspired by her passion for British wildlife, in particular birds, butterflies, insects and wild flowers, using the ancient Indonesian art-form of layering melted wax and water based dyes on Indonesian cotton to create vibrant paintings."

Based in Worcestershire, artist Marie-Thérèse King was lucky enough to grow up with six siblings in a family of horticulturists, gardeners, bird watchers and keen walkers surrounded by orchards and countryside. No doubt this nature filled childhood has influenced Marie-Thérèse's passion now, as an artist, to share this vision, combined with her love of the ancient Indonesian art-form of Batik.

Now living in an intentional community, shared costs in this communal living have enabled Marie-Thérèse to continue with her love of art as a career.  

A single parent and successful business woman, she has created her own business to share her love of art with children and communities, bringing images of the natural world she loves so much to life with the intensity of colour, shape and technique.   

She creates art using vibrant colours. Image credit: Marie-Thérèse.

Marie-Thérèse has not only encouraged children to embrace the power of art and how to really appreciate their surrounding nature but is now keen to make sure the adults do not miss out on how to nurture these artistic skills whilst on an intimate holiday retreat.

Her work has also attracted attention from celebrities across the arts world, gardening sphere and even royalty.

Marie-Thérèse has featured on an episode of Grand Designs with Kevin McCloud, as well as hosting Monty Don, who signed a piece at the Royal Horticultural Society's Chelsea show. One of her prints has even been presented to Princess Anne, which she is said to be very fond of.

Kevin McCloud next to the signed print. Image credit: Marie-Thérèse.

How, her exhibition of Batik Work will be on display at Barnsdale Gardens from 17 June, available for all to enjoy.

Marie-Thérèse's exhibition is open to all and free with garden admission.

She also teaches workshops in printmaking, cyanotype, batik and collage and will be hosting a workshop at Barnsdale Gardens later this year, when dates are confirmed.

For more info and to take a closer look at her work, visit Marie-Thérèse's website here.

The exhibition is set to take place from 17 June to 2 July, 9am - 5pm.

Alternatively, head to the Oakham Nub New What's On page for more local exhibitions and events.