HORSLEY artist Maxine Relton was elected as an Academician at the Royal West of England Academy (RWA) in Bristol this November.

The formal presentation, at a dinner of Royal Academicians attended by Sir Christopher Frayling, chairman of the Arts Council of England, marked the culmination of an election process which stretches over one and a half years, described by Maxine as 'nerve-wracking but challenging'.

The RWA, founded in 1814, restricts the number of Academicians to 150 in line with its sister organisation, the Royal Academy in London.

The number of vacancies in any given year is variable but always limited, being dependent on existing members retiring or dying.

"Before you can even begin to be considered for election, you have to be nominated by a number of existing Academicians," revealed Maxine.

"You can't simply walk into the Academy and ask for your name to be put forward.

"I had no idea it was going to be so demanding when I agreed to be nominated. Every candidate is required initially to submit six new works for that year's selection committee whose unidentified members meet behind closed doors.

"The short-listed candidates are then invited to submit four new works for the RWA Open Autumn Exhibition: these are then subject to a vote by all the Academicians.

"Being elected to the Academy gives my work a greater national and international profile and it does enhance its investment value, but the most important for me is the recognition by so many of my peers - encouragement of the very best kind."

Maxine is currently showing her latest work in a new show at her studio gallery, 4, The Street, Horsley.

The exhibition continues, daily between11am and 6pm, until December 10.