A HAIRDRESSER who turned part of her salon into an art gallery displaying her paintings says she “can’t believe the response” from the public.

Loretta Atkinson Ward, 50, owns The Boutique Hair Salon on Biggar High Street.

During the first lockdown, Loretta found herself with more time on her hands and decided to pick up the paintbrush.

“I’ve always been into painting but never really followed it through,” said Loretta, who considered going to art college before landing on a career in hairdressing. “I did one painting and I put it on our community page and it had such a positive response.”

After then placing her art in the salon, Loretta continued to get positive feedback.

“I was just shocked,” she said. “I went home to my husband and said, ‘I think people actually like them’.”

Loretta, who says the front of the shop is now “a full-blown art gallery”, currently has around 40-50 paintings on display.

Speaking about starting the gallery during the pandemic, she said: “I wouldn’t have had the time [before lockdown]. I’ve reduced my days at the salon to four days a week so I’m trying to still do a bit [of painting] because I don’t want it to be a lockdown thing.”

Loretta says she prices the paintings based on how long it takes to make them, with one original piece selling for £300.

Meanwhile, her husband, a graphic designer, has helped Loretta create prints of the original pieces to sell.

Loretta’s favourite painting – a bonfire at Biggar Hogmanay – has proved popular, making in the region of £2,500-3,000 from print sales.

However, she won’t be parting ways with the original any time soon.

“That’s the one I’m most sentimental about,” said Loretta. “I’ll never sell it, that’s my little Mona Lisa.”

Having produced paintings of Edinburgh – where she used to live – and Biggar, Loretta says "Peebles will be next".