A Hornchurch artist has had a brush with the Orient – and is celebrating with her first public exhibition in years.

Debby Kirby, 51, ran the Earthworks gallery in the 1990s, but ended up having to close it when she started a family.

Now her children are growing up, Debby has picked up her palette again and created a spread of new Chinese-influenced art for a two-week display at Romford Library.

“I’ve started again – it’s a whole rebirth,” she said.

The exhibition is Debby’s first after launching her new online gallery, Mad Artist, and will see about 25 new paintings placed in the library for a fortnight.

“I have Chinese ancestry in my blood line and have been fascinated with all things Oriental since I was a child,” she said. “My work is centred around Eastern philosophy and created with the simple tools of Chinese ink, watercolours and authentic hand-made brushes.

“The principle behind this form of art is the ‘chi’, or energy, that passes between the artist or creator and the raw materials.”

The exhibition is free and all paintings will be available to buy – good news if, like Debby, you believe art in the home can lift the spirit.

“I believe art has so many powerful elements that have been proven to heal the soul,” she said. “In the current economic climate with morale at an all-time low it is good to think that a piece of affordable art in your home can chase those blues away.”

Debby will even be donating a special painting to the library to “enrich and encourage people to enjoy the pleasure of Chinese painting and art”.

You can see Debby’s exhibition Chinese Vibes in Romford Library from Monday (October 8). Small paintings, large landscapes and even handmade cards will be available for purchase.

To visit Debby’s online shop, go to http://mad-artist.co.uk.