MUCH-loved artist and Oxford character Dorothy Gibson has died at the age of 103.

The great-great-grandmother, who lived in Blackbird Leys for more than three decades, was known across the city for her artwork.

She started painting watercolours in her 50s and went on to exhibit for 22 years at Green College, until she reached 100.

Mrs Gibson also featured in the Oxford Mail numerous times, including once in 2000 for learning to use a computer at the age of 92.

Her daughter Dawn Rainbow, 67, said: “She was quite a character and she had a lot of friends in Oxford.

“In later years we moved her to Milton Keynes to be close to family but Oxford was certainly her home.”

Mrs Gibson was born in 1908 and moved to Oxford from Croydon with her family shortly after the First World War.

Her father was a watchmaker and her mother ran the Cozy Cafe in Cowley Road.

Mrs Gibson, who worked for Salters Steamers in Oxford, took up painting after her daughter was born.

Mrs Rainbow said: “One of her favourite places was outside St Mary’s Church in the city centre.

“She would set up her easel on the opposite pavement and wait for the American tourists to come and say ‘wow, that’s amazing. I have to have it.”

“What she would do is take a few versions of it nearly finished and then once one was sold, she would pull out another version as if it was the only one.”

Mrs Gibson loved to travel. Her favourite places included Dubrovnik and Tunisia.

She leaves her daughter and four grandchildren, Duncan, Simon, Ilundi and Joseph, great-grandchildren Rosie, Ella, Christopher and Ebn, and great-great-grandchildren Brandon, Harrison, Jamie and Toby.

lA memorial service will be held at Green College on August 1. For details or to attend, contact Mrs Rainbow on 01908 630934.