ADORNING the walls of a South Woodford restaurant are paintings by a local artist who has made it her gallery.

Karen West of Churchfields, South Woodford, painted several pieces for VK, the Village Kitchen restaurant and lounge in the high road.

Her art is inspired by nature, and she draws on the colours and textures of the elements, natural light, sea, sky and landscapes in her paintings.

Those on show in the Village Kitchen follow these themes - with the warm colours of sunset in the lounge and cooler blues used in images of Venice give the dining area a romantic feel.

Mrs West, 40, refreshes her imagination when she connects with nature, either mountain climbing in the alps or walking in the Kentish countryside where she has a studio. Her daughter Klara, 5, will sometimes go along on trips to the countryside and is her mother's favourite critic.

Mrs West said: "A lot of the time I just have a stroll around the garden and something will come to mind. An image or a smell. There is no point in trying to paint something that is not you just to make a statement or do something different. It just doesn't work.

"A painting doesn't have to say anything, it is about how it makes you feel, and if you like it that's enough."

Mrs West is glad to exhibit her work in such an accessible way as all of her paintings are for sale and will be replaced.

The Village Kitchen opened in South Woodford last summer, and also has branches in Walthamstow.

Te restaurant and lounge is running a promotional drinks offer from Mondays to Thursdays, where the buy one get one free rule applies to all drinks. Restaurant specials include light bites' for £5, and a two course meal is £15.50.

To see Karen West's paintings log on to www.karenwest.biz.