A talented Raglan-based artist is carving out a reputation for herself with works which depict the scenery of Monmouthshire and further afield.

Rachel Spaven, 32 of Caestory Avenue has been involved in a number of community projects, including the Puddle Ducks day nursery in Raglan where she helped create the centrepiece for the hallway.

She has now been commissioned to design two wall displays for the Mulberry House Environmental Centre in Abergavenny.

She saod: "I am about to get started on that. My speciality is landscapes and I want to do an image of somewhere that visitors to the centre go on field trips, maybe a waterfall.

"It will be made out of recycled materials, so I will use things like plastic carrier bags and bin bags," she said.

Mrs Spaven has travelled widely and uses inspiration from countries around the world for her collages and carvings as well as what she sees on her doorstep.

She added: "I'm originally from Bath, but moved to Raglan four years ago after falling in love with the area. There's so much to paint here, including the Sugar Loaf and even driving from Raglan to Abergavenny is slightly different every day depending on the light.

"I work from photos, so quite often I'll stop at the side of the road and start snapping away.

There's so much amazing countryside that is so easy to miss if you're just driving past."

Mrs Spaven is aiming to create a series of carvings and collages depicting two of her favourite places in South Wales, Keeper's Pond, Blaenavon and the Tal y bont reservoir area.

A lot of her work is commisisoned for individuals and she is currently working on a carving of a pair of praying hands among other things.

She lives with her husband Colin and young son. More of her work can been seen on her website www.againstthegrain.me.uk.