An extraordinary local artist, who has developed a maths formula for producing her masterpieces, will be soon be hosting an exhibition at Ross Library.

Marianne Stradling, from Ross-on-Wye has Asperger’s Syndrome and temporal lobe epilepsy. She has fits quite often, and she has problems with her short-term memory.

Anne Gray, the Mayoress of?Ross, knows Marianne very well. The pair often go out together, Marianne takes photographs of landscapes to paint, and Anne goes with her; because of Marianne’s epilepsy, she needs one-on-one care.

Anne said:?“She’s unable really to keep herself safe, but she’s a very talented artist.”

Marianne brought a portfolio of her work into the Ross Gazette office, and her work, admired by the reporters, was truly impressive. Although Marianne is very humble, the detail, shading and depth of field in her artwork is flawless, and many of the images in her portfolio look as though they are photographs.

A great deal of the focus of her work is on local churches and landscapes, but she has also gone further afield and painted sunsets in Swansea, drawn Big Ben in London, and sketched a scene in Florence, Italy.

Marianne started drawing in black and white, and later brought in colour to her artwork. She explained that the secret to her art is the maths. Anne told the Ross Gazette:?“Many people don’t realise how clever some people with different ways are.”

Marianne, who is religious and attends Ross Baptist Church with Anne, believes that her talent was sent by God because she had her first flash of inspiration while she was in Church. “It’s amazing the beauty God has put into this world and the universe,” she said.

Marianne’s exhibition will be in Ross Library from Monday, May 23rd.