'Sweet shop' for artists (From Stroud News and Journal)

'Sweet shop' for artists

WHEN Jane and Simon Fisher saw an art shop for sale in Stroud they were quick off the draw and bought it.

Jane, an accomplished artist, had long cherished a desire to open her own art materials outlet.

That idea took wings just before Christmas with the official opening of Pegasus Art Shop at Griffin Mill, Thrupp.

"It's an astonishing fact that one in 20 people in this area is a serious or professional artist," said Jane.

"Pegasus aims to be the art equivalent of an eccentric sweet shop for them.

"In fact, there's no other shop outside the M25 that carries the range of stock available at Pegasus.

"Canvas and linen are sold in lengths up to three metres, and there are six different makes of oil paints from student quality to those suitable for the serious professional."

From January, Jane and Simon will be sole distributors for Williamsburg Handmade Oil paints from the USA - after Stroud, the next nearest outlets are in Paris and America.

"I'm aiming to make Pegasus into a drop-in place for the local art community, with coffee available, sofas and art magazines," said Jane.

World-famous Pangolin Editions and Damien Hirst's studio are already among her customers.