Hungarians Inspire Artist

British painter Sarah-Jane Szirkora has said that holidays to Hungary have inspired her artwork.

Szikora's psintings feature larger than life men and women and the artist revealed that she was motivated to depict these figures after making frequent trips to her father's native Hungary as a child.

The ebullient nature of the Hungarians left an impression on the young Szikora and encouraged her to paint imposing people.

Art enthusiasts can buy a range of Sarah-Jane Szikora prints incorporating large women include Ladies Wot Lunch, Damien's Dress and Pet Grooming.

Szikora paints large women as she suffered from an eating disorder and is interested in how the public's view of size can effect self confidence.

She said: "There is an obsession in our society about appearance; everyone is on a diet or opting for cosmetic improvements. Why is it we dislike ourselves so much?"

Not all Sarah-Jane Szikora prints include humans as the artist is best know for her portrayal of cheeky confectionary characters who are often up to mischief.

Szikora launched an exhibition of original artwork last year entitled Smartypants, which included an array of paintings featuring female food fanatics and playful gingerbread men.

The County Durham painter said that she often creates humorous art in order to amuse people and allow them to forget about life's troubles.

She told Winsor and Newton: "I am proud of 'smartypants' it is always my desire to offer a little escapism, especially in a time of horrible recession and swine flu. I hope visitors will enjoy a dose of daftness."

The artist said that creating her paintings does not always come easy as her more ambitious work can result in hours of painstaking toil.

"Some came easily and others were so fiddly it was like a bad dream that I couldn't wake up from - if you ever decide to paint 300 jelly babies you will know exactly what I mean," she said.

Szirkora's career is going from strength to strength as she has already had several major exhibitions in Britain.

There have been regular showcases in Selfridges and Harrods, while Szikora's work has also been displayed in America.

The artist's work is available in a range of mediums including limited edition Sarah-Jane Szikora prints, Royal Worcester crockery, greetings cards and jigsaws.

Sarah-Jane Szikora lives and works in Gateshead and considers the north of England her home having also studied at Harrogate College of Art.