ACCLAIMED St Helens artist Anne Sudworth stages her first show in her hometown for four years, this month.

'Earth Light' runs at the World of Glass until 29 August and is a free exhibition, including paintings straight from Anne's highly successful London show, along with some of her established favourites. Anne's last show was the very first exhibition to be staged at the World of Glass when it opened. She says; "It's wonderful to be displaying my work back here again."

Best known for her 'Earth Light Trees' series, Anne's dark, atmospheric paintings evoke the mystical aspects of nature. She started her career as a professional artist in 1993 when she presented her first exhibition 'Visions and Views', followed by the highly successful 'Dreams and Whispers' and 'The Dark Side'.

Anne says; "Much of my work contains overtones of magic and ancient beliefs. I like to explore the idea that the earth has a darker, lesser-known side, perhaps one of which our ancestors were more aware."

Over recent years the demand for Anne's work has grown and her original paintings and limited edition prints are now sold internationally, both through galleries and private commissions.

Directly after the show she will travel to Atlanta, Georgia, to be the artist guest of honour at the Dragoncon art and media convention, which attracts 50,000 visitors.

Later in the year her paintings will be back on show in London alongside a major bank's permanent art collection.