(Exhibition runs from Monday, September 28 to Saturday, October 31)

Hot wax is very difficult to get off clothing - I should know, some managed to find its way on to a favourite jacket of mine recently during a meal at a nice little restaurant in Gay Paree, writes Jane Grove.

This same substance, so irritating to remove from leather, cotton and in my case linen, is intentionally painted, poured and sprinkled on to card (rather than canvas) by Brenda Mitchell for an exhibition at the cornerHOUSE in October.

Brenda's hot wax (encaustic art) paintings form part of her solo show, Nature – Inside and Out, which runs at the arts centre in Douglas Road, Tolworth, from September 28 until the end of October.

The artist, who has exhibited at various group shows in deepest Surrey, and who will be showing her work at a forthcoming show in Epsom, explained: “I have always dabbled in drawing and painting, but only took it more seriously after I retired from being a headteacher, joined a watercolour art class and took my City and Guilds in Floristry. These two combined have provided me with the impetus for my work.

“And a chance visit to an encaustic exhibition impressed me so much that I had to have a go at that as well!”

Brenda said her encaustic art provided her with a lot of artistic freedom.

“My love for colour vibrancy is shown in my encaustic artwork where I can really let myself go and be totally uninhibited and abstract!”

Brenda’s theme for the exhibition at cH is nature and landscape.

“I have always been a nature lover and my paintings reflect this,” she said. “I love the colour vibrancy and movement of flowers and foliage, and the feeling of air, space and freedom in the landscape.”

Brenda’s watercolours, oils and encaustic works are for sale. Prices range from £25-£75.

As well as the exhibition’s month-long run, there will be a gala evening on Friday, October 2, from 7-9pm where members of the public can view the show and talk to the artist about her work.