A Lochaber landscape artist is set to brush up on her business skills after qualifying for a Lochaber Business Start Up award.

Fine artist, Wendy Sutherland (aged 24) is setting up a studio in her parents' home at Corpach, producing a range of original works, offering prints and undertaking commissions.

Wendy, who graduated from Edinburgh College of Art only last year, is already making a name for herself in the art world. She has won several prizes and has exhibited work at various galleries throughout the UK including London and Cardiff, as well as number of exhibitions in Scotland.

Her work, inspired by the highland landscape, has attracted a great deal of attention with commissions coming from the Edinburgh International Conference Centre and an upmarket London hotel. Wendy has also been the subject of several excellent reviews featured in national newspapers.

The new business 'Wendy Sutherland - Fine Artist' is set to capitalise on the growing interest in e-commerce by displaying work on the internet, as well as using more traditional marketing methods such as galleries, shops, restaurants and hotels.

Lochaber Limited (LLtd), part of the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) network, are giving Wendy a helping hand through the Business Start-Up programme with an award of £1560 (pounds), together with advice and guidance.

Wendy, who has always wanted to make her living as an artist, said: "I am very grateful to Lochaber Limited for their assistance towards the early development of my career. I can now afford to continue creating new pieces of work and pursue exhibition opportunities as I have always strived to do."

Chief Executive at Lochaber Limted, Jackie Wright, said: "The creation of new businesses is essential to the development of the area. The assistance available through our Business Start Up scheme helps fledgling businesses by providing them with a regular income for the first six months together with advice and guidance which is available on an ongoing basis thereafter. This help gives them the opportunity to develop a stable business from which to grow."