A FORMER nurse who took the plunge and swapped a hospital ward for a modest studio has captured the attention of a prestigious art society.

Within five years of her dramatic career change, Catherine Inglis has scored a major coup by securing hanging space for several of her paintings in a London gallery.

The Society of Women Artists has selected half a dozen of her works to feature at its 144th annual exhibition at The Mall Galleries in London. Six is the maximum number any artist may submit.

The professional artist who works from her home in Skirpenbeck near York has also been made a member of the society - an honour and achievement which Catherine was "very proud" to accept.

"I couldn't believe it," said Catherine. "It is a real feather in the cap."

The society has held an annual exhibition in London since 1857 to showcase the work of female artists.

It was founded when women were not considered serious contributors to the field of art, and struggled to show their work publicly.

Its members have included world-famous illustrator Mabel Lucy Atwell and it currently has Princess Michael of Kent as its patron.

Current members include Daphne Todd, the first woman president of the Royal Portrait Society, portraitist June Mendoza, and Suzanne Lucas, president of both the Society of Botanical Artists and the Royal Miniature Society.

Catherine's selected paintings for this year's exhibition include a vibrant picture of a Tanzanian woman in a market, otters on a riverbank, a pair of barn owls and a horse.

"Painting is always something I have liked doing," said Catherine who is a founder member of the East Riding Pastel Society. "My dad painted as long as I can remember and I have a younger sister who is a professional artist as well. I was nursing for 15 years. But I did a little bit of painting and people were buying my pictures and asking me to do commissions of animals and children. It went from there. It was a hobby that became a job."

When Catherine and her husband, Ron, moved closer to York five years ago, it seemed an ideal time for her to focus on her creative streak.

"I had a couple of exhibitions in Pocklington Picture Framing and other smaller exhibitions. It snowballed from there. Now I teach as well and give demonstrations. I work more hours now than I ever have."

The 52-year-old mother works mainly in pastels, and specialises in commissions for animal and family portraits and wildlife work.

Updated: 10:15 Thursday, May 12, 2005