A BARRISTER has found herself in the frame after swapping the courtroom for the art gallery.

Sara Ryder is the latest artist to have her work displayed at Bolton’s Cafe Create.

The 69-year-old has combined her love of art with her day profession, explaining she travels extensively for her job during which she takes photographs from which she later makes sketches.

Her work is inspired by her travel throughout the North West but also in Wales, France and California.

Sara, who lives in Worsley, said: “I am a practising self-employed barrister with chambers in Liverpool, in the areas of Civil and Family law.

“I studied law when in my forties after a spell as a volunteer at the Citizens Advice Bureau in Salford, and I was called to the Bar in 1998.

“I have been drawing and painting all my life.

“I studied art and history of art at A-level, went to Italy to look at the Italian renaissance and then attended art college in Manchester.

“Sadly I didn’t learn much at art school and since then have been largely self-taught, attending night school classes, especially an excellent life-drawing class in Horwich.”

Sara decided to devote more of her time to artwork thanks to the encouragement of friends and family and the the temporary downturn in work after changes to legal aid.

She added: “In 2015, I was introduced to a technique in ink drawing by an inspirational artist and designer, Elda Abramson.

“Since then, I have not been able to stop drawing and painting since I love the colours and effects I can get with the inks. People seem to agree with me and my works induce smiles on their faces. What more pleasure can I have?”

The exhibition — her fourth — is entitled Reflecting on Colour.

The majority of the 40 artworks are for sale, with a contribution of any sale going towards the work of CreateBolton, a charity which, encourages people of all ages and abilities to be creative. The exhibition runs until October 28. CafeCreate is based at Claremont House, Bark Street, and is open on Fridays and Saturdays between 10am and 2pm.