A YELLOW eye gazing dangerously from a depth of green, scaly skin; a tiger prowling moodily through plump, wet leaves; a downy-haired lynx stretching lazily - walking into Chérie Wheatcroft's bungalow, you might be forgiven for thinking she lives in an exotic zoo.

But these are just some of the impressive oil paintings lining the artist's walls, ready for hanging at her forthcoming exhibitions.

Following a serious accident, Chérie thought she would never paint again, having suffered extensive burns to her hands, causing her to forego a place at art college. Now, after turning her part-time hobby into a full-time job, she is busy completing numerous commissions, lessons and local exhibitions.

Specialising in wildlife painting, the majority of Chérie's art is inspired by trips to Botswana.

"I was sleeping under the stars," she explains, "so I benefited from seeing the animals up close and personal."

This experience inspired her to transfer the beauty of the animals onto canvas, which has proved very popular, her originals now fetching up to £5,000.

Aside from wildlife painting, Chérie finds inspiration from local landscapes and travel, recently completing a dramatic, pearlescent triptych of Paris, presenting the glittering, neon-lit splendour of the city by night.

She is also branching out into portraiture, currently completing a painting of pop crooner James Blunt.

After enjoying a gig in Paris with her daughter, a dedicated fan of the singer, Chérie found herself standing next to the star.

"I was in a room full of his fans pressed against him for 20 minutes, so I thought I might as well take the opportunity to mention my art," says Chérie.

"I offered to produce a portrait of him and he seemed genuinely interested."

The singer repeated his enthusiasm when he met Chérie's daughter again at a concert in Las Vegas, inviting her to share a table with himself and Paris Hilton.

Chérie is hoping to complete the painting in time for her forthcoming exhibition at the Regent Centre in April, intending on presenting the star with the painting or raising cash from its sale for his favoured charity, Medicins sans Frontieres.

Chérie's art draws obvious comparisons with famous wildlife painter David Shepherd, although she seems to work more towards a photographic realism, painting largely from her own snaps.

Some of the paintings capture the enigmatic individuality of the animals particularly well, while her landscapes portray the tranquility and natural beauty of the region, at times with a slightly surreal edge.

The artist picked up her paintbrush again just five years ago, taking the bold step from painting part-time, maintaining her job with BT, to becoming a full-time painter two years ago.

Now she publishes her own prints, sells greeting cards of her art, takes classes, hosts holidays, holds exhibitions and completes commissions which, she says, often lead to tears of joy from her clients.

Her paintings are also hanging on the walls of cafes dotted around the region, including Kelly's Kitchen in Christchurch and the Meeting Place in Sandbanks.

Chérie is looking forward to a packed summer of local exhibitions, the first taking place in the Regent Centre, Christchurch, from April 14 until May 4.

See her website at wildlifewithwheatcroft.com