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As a child Ann Robson was always drawing and making things.

"I learnt to knit at eight, I could make my own dresses from a pattern at nine," says Ann.Ìý "My father was very gifted and created a lot of metal work."

When she was leaving school Ann was keen to follow an art career, however, her teachers were less than enthusiastic.

Crafted from a variety of found objects

"They said 'Ann artists are 10 a penny.Ìý You'll never earn any money being an artists,'" says Ann.Ìý "And of course it's true really, unless you are Tracy Emin or Damien Hurst."

Ann went on to train as a teacher, where she was able to use her artistic talents in the classroom.

"I didn't teach art, I taught English.Ìý But, in a way that was better because you can illustrate poems and prose," Ann explains.

Ann decided to take some formal art training after writing a poem which she wanted to illustrate.

Returning to education as a mature student was a natural step for Ann.Ìý Her years working as a teacher and time spent doing Open University meant that essay writing and exams were not a problem.

The battle of plants over man

Her learning took her all over the place, from spending time at an art school in Italy to adult education classes.

"I ended up doing a fine art degree in Southend," explains Ann.Ìý "I was one of the oldest there."

After her degree Ann continued painting and writing.Ìý She became involved in Studio 11, the artists co-operative in Westcliff, after meeting Andrew Hall.Ìý Their paths crossed when Ann was involved in the first Westcliff Art Trail.

"The combination of the art trail and studio gallery is where you find me now," says Ann.

Do young woman have it all?

A key player in this year's art trail, Ann's work is on display in Face in Burdett Avenue and at Studio 11.

Her work, based on a "Woman's World", features paintings of shoes, girls and shopping bags.

"My latest one, Hen, is a girl with a glass of wine leaning back.Ìý Her shoes are very prominent.Ìý But she is sitting on a clutch of shopping bags," explains Ann.

If you would like to see more of Ann's work it will be on display as part of the Westcliff Art Trail and at Studio 11.