WHEN she became stuck for a canvas for her latest artwork Alex Lucas sought inspiration close to home.

She decorated the outside of her house in Montpelier then decided to go one step further and turn her front window into a shop to sell her work.

Miss Lucas, 29, who grew up in Longwell Green, studied textile design and university but was inspired by the therapeutic benefits of art.

She painted murals on the interior of four houses while studying in Loughborough but her Picton Street home was the first outdoor house.

She said: "I've done garages and walls in Easton and Montpelier but I thought it would be nice to decorate the front of my house.

"The inspiration came because there is a lot of graffiti in Stokes Croft, it's all sprayed on and it's full of testosterone. I wanted to do something pretty that everyone could enjoy and that looked nice. I tend to paint a lot of animals and have done quite a few pet portraits in the past."

The project took Miss Lucas 68 hours to complete and she has had praise from local residents.

She said: "The house was a former Polish barber shop and so always had the box at the window. At first I was going to paint the box and then I decided to tie in the whole house. It is a massive space and it a great advert for my work.

"I use the box on the window ledge to sell my work – greeting cards and prints. Then if people are interested in more of my work I have duvets and larger artwork that they can look at. It sort of works like a petrol station.

"I phoned the council and they said I had done the area a favour and brightened it up."

But the only opposition Miss Lucas has faced has come in the shape of the British weather.

She said: "I've not got an awning yet so when it rains I have to bring the box in and I can't open the shop. Hopefully I'll be able to sort this out."

An opening event for The Window Shop saw a display from African Sambistas and live music. The artist hopes the shop and the mural will encourage trade and art in the area.

She said: "Since I've lived in Picton Street two shops have closed which is really sad. It's such a nice area for this sort of thing and I really hope things will pick up again and attract more people to the area."

The Window Shop is open every Friday and Saturday except in rainy weather. For more information visit www.lucas-antics.com.