Blind artist from Somerset exhibits sculpture of guide dog

"You can't be miserable with a dog around"

An artist who is registered blind is exhibiting a sculpture of her guide dog.

Somerset artist Angela Charles has shown her art publicly since 1989 but has gradually lost her sight over the past 13 years.

A sculpture of her guide dog Flynn will feature in the Paws on the Wharf art trail in Canary Wharf until 17 May.

"I really lost my confidence. When I was matched with my guide dog it changed everything," Ms Charles said.

"And you can't be miserable with a dog around."

Ms Charles said that she has always wanted to be an artist, and she worked as a curator for years, until she had to give it up due to her sight loss.

"I now just paint, which surprises a lot of people," she added.

"I just thought: nothing is going to stop me.

Ms Charles has help from her guide dog and her phone when she paints

"A lot of the detail has gone, it's more abstract, but I still really enjoy painting."

Ms Charles said she first noticed that she was going blind when she could not see well in the dark.

"Then I realised it was a bigger problem," she said.

She was registered as blind six years ago with Retinitis Pigmentosa, and five years ago she got her guide dog Flynn.

"I have some peripheral vision and my phone will read the colour of my paint tubes.

"Everyone else thought I would have to give it up but for me it's something that's just in me."

Deborah Bourne, director at the charity Guide Dogs, who organised the art trail, added: "Paws on the Wharf is a first for Guide Dogs and will be an artistic event that everyone can enjoy - truly inclusive and a shared experience for all."