AN aspiring artist has been shortlisted for a prestigious prize which could potentially propel her into the professional spotlight.

Georgie Clough's pencil drawing of Carlisle's world famous Carr's Table Water Biscuits bagged her a spot on the shortlist for this year's New Light Art Prize.

It was chosen from more than 2,000 entries and will be showcased among pieces by established professionals in an exhibition which will be brought to Tullie House in January 2021. It will also be displayed at The Biscuit Factory in Newcastle, London's Bankside Gallery and Scarborough Art Gallery where the winners will be announced on September 18.

The 20-year-old of Cumrew, said she was surprised to have been shortlisted.

"I'm over the moon. I think it's a really good opportunity," she said. "The grand prize is £10,000. That would be a catalyst, completely. I could get a proper little studio space. But I don't know if I'll win that. Some of the submissions are really amazing.

"They also have an emerging artist award so I'm aiming for that one really. You get mentored and advice so that's also very valuable."

Georgie submitted the Carr's piece - which she created in 2018 for MP John Stevenson's annual Christmas card - because of it's Carlisle connection.

She also submitted a sculpture of a Japanese woman inspired by the sculptor Ron Mueck.

It's not the first time Georgie has been recognised for her talent. When she was just 14, the former Queen Elizabeth Grammar School pupil won the BBC One Show’s Summer Art Competition. 

"That was amazing," she said, "but I think I'll get more out of this career-wise."

Georgie graduated from Arts University Bournemouth in June with a degree in modelmaking and had planned to freelance, making props and prosthetics for films.

"It's changed my perspective a little bit, just being shortlisted. Over the past few days I've been doing a lot of thinking," she said. "My idea was to continue doing commissions while I freelanced but now this has happened, and seeing the opportunities I could get from it, I'm thinking of focusing more on art. It's given me a lot more confidence that I could pursue this more than just on the side."

Lockdown has also provided Georgie with the opportunity to do more drawings which in recent months she hasn't had the time to do having been so busy in her final year at university.

She enjoys drawing portraits and likes to use dry mediums such as coloured pencil and Biro.

Follow Georgie on Instagram @georgiec_maker