Michelle Whaanga was born in New Zealand and has travelled extensively before settling down in Gibraltar. She has a talent for all things artistic particularly watercolour and acrylic painting.

If you have a photograph of a scene from a special place you can send a copy to Michelle and she will replicate it in watercolour or acrylic for you.

She also makes various arts and crafts to sell from originally designed painted stone gleaned from the shores of the Mediterranean sea, to wine bottle aprons, cards, bookmarks and prints from her own paintings.

For either a commission, a quote or simply to purchase some of Michelle's products please send an inquiry to FHMedia. Or visit Michelle's site on Etsy

Here are examples of Michelle's watercolour paintings:

One of Michelle's most dramatic paintings is this called Swansong. Recently exhibited in the Gibraltar Spring Festival it attracted much praise for its colour, movement and unusual subject.

The eastern side of the Rock of Gibraltar looking to the north. If you walk the Mediterranean steps this is one of the views you are rewarded with. It takes an hour to do the walk  and from Jew's gate were it starts at the beginning of the nature reserve you end up just below O'Hara's Battery the highest point of Gibraltar 426 metres above sea level.

Beyond the north face in the picture lies the Costa del Sol of Spain

A painting of Parson's Lodge one of two fortifications that protect the entrance to Rosia bay where in 1805 HMS Victory was repaired after the battle of Trafalgar and Lord Nelson lay pickled in the barrel of cognac that was to preserve his body for the trip back to England.

Castellar is about 30 mins drive from Gibraltar. A pleasant day out this ancient walled town has a few cobbled streets with white houses and shops protected under heritage laws. The view from the top is almost as good as the view of the castle.

You can purchase any of these paintings or commission your own either by sending a photograph to us or requesting a particular view if it is Gibraltar or southern Spain you want. Go to www.etsy.com/people/whaart

If you are interested in a painting holiday for either a weekend or a week  then contact FHMedia and register your interest.

Accommodation will be either in Gibraltar or in the quiet village of San Roque 9kms from Gibraltar. Flights are from Gatwick, Manchester, Luton and Heathrow to Gibraltar. These are for beginners to Watercolour painting and will include lessons, equipment and personal tuition.

The emphasis is on relaxation and the personal touch with warm evenings enjoying Spanish tapas and days painting around the town. Email FHMedia to register your interest.