A SPECIAL needs teacher turned artist will be featured as one to watch for one of the country’s most prestigious galleries.

60-year-old Rosi Robison, wife of Reverend for Malton and Old Malton Peter Robinson, now has her own online page for the infamous Saatchi gallery showcasing her contemporary and abstract pieces.

After entering competitions Rosi was emailed personally by the curators at the gallery who asked to feature her work.

She said: "I am thrilled, it really is quite exciting. One of the competitions I entered was entered by 6,000 people and I got down to the final 300.

"I didn't make it through to any selection but I got an email that they wanted to put me online as an emerging UK artist and as an artist of the month later at some point."

The piece that caught the attention of the Saatchi gallery curators was Geoscape, an abstract creation inspired by the landscapes of the Isle of Man where Rosi lived up until last year.

Having originally qualified as a primary school teacher, Rosi taught in a secondary school for a couple of years before heading back to education in 2002 where she studied for a contemporary art degree at Manchester Metropolitan University before teaching special needs.

She is now one of just five UK students working towards a fine art degree at The Open College of the Arts.

Currently working on a 10 week project which she says is "challenging" her, the degree is online based and Rosi says she is enjoying studying again.

She said: "I started in September and it's for three years which I am so glad about because I'd have hated it if it had finished this summer, I'm enjoying it too much.”

Available to buy online, Rosi's original pieces can be sold for more than $1,000 dollars proving that since leaving her teaching days behind three years ago she is truly making a name for herself in the art industry.

"When I was made redundant from my teaching job I thought this is my time, I am going to do my art now,” she said.

Rosi's desire to pursue what was once just a hobby is now indeed a viable business, working right out of her spare bedroom at her home in Malton. She is now looking for gallery space, has joined Ryedale Art Works and will be taking part in North Yorkshire Open Studios in June later this year.

To view Rosi's collection visit www.saatchiart.com/rosrobinson or her own personal website www.artsros.com