A Hertfordshire artist with a severe visual impairment has helped to brighten the streets of London, as part of a charity's art trail in Canary Wharf.

Alex Devlin started drawing and painting at a young age, earning praise for her aptitude with art.

Unfortunately, after her diagnosis with a visual impairment, and then later with seizures, her confidence was shaken.

For many years she painted only at home, but when she joined a Guide Dogs fundraising group, her partner David and group coordinator James encouraged her to take it further.

Alex started with plein air painting, where she had a chance to bring her work outside and speak to people about what she was doing.

To celebrate Guide Dogs’ 90th anniversary, the charity organised an art trail at Canary Wharf called Paws on the Wharf. 

When Alex was asked to take part, she said she was excited and nervous about the undertaking.

"I was struggling to nail down what I wanted to do at first - I had lots of ideas, but I’ve never done anything like this before," she explained.

"Thinking about art in the open got me thinking of the yarn bombers. I always love how their work turns ordinary surroundings into a burst of colour. There are lots of little details you can't make out till you're up close, but when I'm out and about I can always tell where their installations are by colour and it makes me smile."

Alex enjoys the versatility that working with acrylics allows, ensuring she is able to layer colours and add in detail.

About her sculpture for Paws on the Wharf, Alex said: "I really hope my work 'Tangle with Colour' has stood out on the wharf and brought a smile to those walking by.

"A few design elements were inspired by aspects of my visual impairment, like the swirl patterns near the eyes and the white circles around the body, similar to my cataracts.

"I’ve loved painting for this project. It was a completely new experience and would love to do it again, now I have a taste for it!"

After a colourful display at Canary Wharf, all sculptures from Paws on the Wharf are now being auctioned online to raise money for Guide Dogs. To find out more, visit guidedogs.org.uk/paws-on-the-wharf/auction.