THE ancient art of Feng Shui has helped bring luck and prosperity to Blackpool artist Karen Kendall in the form of two prestigious awards.

Karen entered the Artist and Young Artist of the Year competition through an arts magazine and won the Staedler highly commended award along with the Daler/Rowney award in the abstract and experimental category.

Speaking about her success, the 37-year-old beamed: "I was absolutely gobsmacked, it's fantastic news.

"All my family are really proud, too.

"I have won a gift worth £100 and stacks of stationery and art equipment as well as the recognition."

The winning picture entitled The Art of Placement - Unity, is a surreal piece inspired by the Chinese philosophy Feng Shui.

As Karen explained: "I have done lots of research on this intriguing subject and decided I would like to try and incorporate it into my artwork.

"The painting combines all the elements, compass points and such that the philosophy promotes and would help Feng Shui any room."

Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of achieving happiness and prosperity through changing your environment.

Mother-of-five Karen is a devout believer in the relaxing, stress-busting aura it promotes in the home, not to mention the good luck and fortune it can bring.

She stresses: "It really does work, it has helped me immensely in my personal life and career.

"For example, I had been having a bad few months recently so I decided to Feng Shui my bedroom out and within two days of the change I had won the two awards and enjoyed other good luck."

Karen is currently working on eight other Feng Shui related paintings including such topics as relationships, wealth and prosperity, fame and recognition.

An exhibition of the winning paintings will be held in London from July 23 to 26.

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