An artist 'still cannot believe it' after her work was put on display in the Louvre museum in Paris.
Ilham Boudrez, from Accrington travelled to the capital of France to one of the world’s most prestigious art galleries to see her work featured in an exhibition.
The mother-of-one said she was amazed when she was contacted by the curators of the Art Shopping - Le Carrousel du Louvre Paris exhibition saying that they loved her artwork.
Ilham said: "I still can’t believe it!
“They saw my work on Instagram and my paintings on there and they really like it and asked if I wanted to take part.
“It’s one of the biggest galleries in the world – it was so nice to be there.
“Every year, this event is held with artists from all around the world.
“There were artists from Japan, America, Argentina, Venezuela and France – all around the world.”
The French museum and art gallery is home to the Mona Lisa which is arguably the most notable piece of artwork of all time.
The 43-year-old had three of her paintings displayed, two paintings of horses and one of a very colourful cow, with the art being available to the public to view and buy from October 22 to October 24.
Ilham was one of 400 artists who had their work on display for three days and she had a fantastic time seeing her work in such a prestigious place.
The Bury University Centre student has been interested in art since a young age but took a break from it until about three years ago when she decided to pick back up the paint brush.
Her husband died some years ago and Ilham was left to raise her daughter alone.
Ilham said she is an inspiration to herself for picking herself back up after such tragedies.
She added: “I have been through hell and back and I consider myself an inspiration.
“I am so proud of where I am and who my daughter is as a person.
“To come out of all of that and have my paintings in the Louvre – it’s such a huge achievement.”
Since her display in Paris, Ilham has been contacted by the Van Der Plas gallery in New York where her artwork will be displayed in December.
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