AN artist with learning disabilities has scooped a national prize.

Richard Hunt of the Shadowlight Artists picked up the Shape Open arts prize in London last Thursday for his painting Totempole.

The Rose Hill man has produced about 150 works in the past three years.

There was also success for the Shadowlight Artists, who will have three films screened at a festival in Canada in March.

The group are an award winning independent collection of digital artists with learning disabilities who are based in Oxford and supported by Film Oxford.

Mr Hunt said: “I start with an idea which I sketch out onto paper or canvas, a frame to put the picture on, like a circle or a diamond, then over the next few weeks I build the picture up adding colours and details.

“I don’t plan the pictures.

“ I just know exactly what I want to do, when I do it, I go with the flow.”

The Shadowlight Artists hope to inspire others with learning disabilities to embrace their creativity and reach audiences.

They have screened their work in the UK and abroad and have also run practical workshops.

They have recently completed an Arts Council of England funded project called Creative Bridges.