A PAINTER who has adorned the world with her dazzling murals is back from her travels to put a bit of colour into Worcestershire homes.

Nicky Ellis splashed her Extraordinary Paintwork on walls in Saudi Arabia and Sydney before settling in Colwall this year and setting up her own studio.

Since starting out painting furniture 20 years ago, she has turned a child's bedroom into a stable yard, a swimming pool into a Caribbean garden and a kitchen alcove into a window on family history.

The Oxfordshire-born artist, who says she can copy anything from cartoon characters to landscapes, came to Malvern earlier this year to enhance a 16th Century cottage and never left.

"I love the area and it's a perfect place to have a studio," she said.

"I go where the work is but I hope things happen for me here."

Ms Ellis brings to the area a wealth of expertise after being trained in theatre design, 3D and illustration, before being taught decorative finishes by Annie Sloane.

Her diverse work can already be seen at different venues in the area such as Malvern's Hillstone School, which boasts a teddy bear's picnic on one of its walls.

But the 45-year-old said although she could paint anything, her ambition was to focus on mural painting.

"I did five murals at a pre-school in Sydney and painted canvasses and furniture in Saudi where I lived for nine months," she said.

"Ultimately, my ambition is to paint murals on cruise ships."

The artist, who prides herself on fees comparative to "a good painter and decorator", has many strings to her bow as she is also practices ceramics and interior design.

"I like the challenge of every job being different," she said.

For more information on Nicky Ellis's Extraordinary Paintwork call 01684 541380 or 07967 214216.