A South East Cornwall artist who was inspired to paint the Mayflower ship in her own trademark style will now have her work on show just opposite the famous steps where the Pilgrim Fathers departed.

Nicola White, who lives in Millbrook, enjoys capturing the landmarks and sights of the Rame Peninsula in her work. Her pieces often incorporate local characters in bustling scenes on the beach or on the water.

With the 400th anniverary of the Mayflower’s voyage to America set to be celebrated this year, Nicola decided to paint the moment of farewell on the quayside – and anyone who knows her art will recognise the bright hues, the repeated wave motifs and flowers, and the personality of the characters in the painting.

’It was my first step over the River Tamar to paint a scene on the other side of the water,’ said Nicola, who is a member of the Association of British Naïve Artists.

’The people on the harbourside saying goodbye are a mixture of the old and the new, with some of the pilgrims mixing in with modern-day people.’

While Nicola’s Mayflower painting was sold not long after she posted it on social media, the buyer has agreed that the work should have pride of place on the Barbican during the anniversary year.

The artwork, together with a selection of Nicola’s other paintings, is now on display at the Victoria Sewart Gallery on the Barbican, Plymouth.