My name is Susan Hassall. I was born in 1943 in the city of Birmingham.

It was clear from early childhood that I had artistic ability. At the age of 16, I attended Birmingham Art College and from there went into the teaching profession, where I taught both at primary and adult level.

I exhibited my work at the Royal B’ham Society of Artists, the Sutton Coldfield Society of artists, the Queen Elizabeth Medical Art Society and the Barber Institute.

I have a keen interest in Buddhist iconography, especially the classical North Indian Buddha faces of the Gupta and Mathura periods.

I have tried to convey peace, tranquility and the timeless beauty of the meditating face of the Buddha.

The world sees far too much ugliness and brutality both in and out of the art world, and I would like to bring a little peace into people’s lives.

Now in retirement in Minehead, I have fallen in love with Blenheim Gardens and hope to spend some happy hours painting the beautiful trees there.