Like Whistler, Watford-based amateur artist Dana Mallon has received high praise for her portrait of her mother.

Dana, who has only been painting for a couple of years, has been commended in the Beginner Artist of the Year Award 2011 by the The Society for All Artists. Her watercolour pencil portrait Mum was chosen from more than 5,000 entries and will be on display at the It’s All About Art event in Islington.

Originally from Leipzig, Germany, Dana came to the UK to work as a language assistant at Watford Grammar School for Boys. She moved here permanently in 1995 and until recent redundancy worked in IT.

Now the 42-year-old mum of two is helping to run a weekly art club at her son’s school The Orchard Primary in Gammons Lane, which meets every Thursday.

Dana’s picture will be on show at the three-day art showcase, which includes art workshops and demonstrations by 21 professional artists.

It’s All About Art runs from July 21-23 at the Business Design Centre in Islington.

Details: 08458 770 775, www.saa.co.uk