Thousands of people are set to see a Watford painter's work after it was chosen for a prestigious London art exhibition.

Two drawings by Josie Applebly, 32, have been chosen for the Royal Academy’s Summer Exhibition, which will be open from June 18 to August 18.

Josie Appleby with her artwork Pillar of Pines at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.Josie Appleby with her artwork Pillar of Pines at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition. (Image: Josie Applebly) “I’m really over the moon to be able to exhibit in such a prestigious place,” Jose said. “I’ve always entered it and it is a bit of a lottery, but when I was shortlisted I was so excited.

“To get this opportunity is definitely a career highlight and the whole experience has been really exciting.”

Pillars of Pines was one of two drawings chosen by RA judge Hurvin Anderson.Pillars of Pines was one of two drawings chosen by RA judge Hurvin Anderson. (Image: Josie Appleby)

The summer exhibition, which dates from 1870, gives amateur artists the chance to have their work displayed at its headquarters in Piccadilly.

The number of entrants is capped at 16,500 and last year fewer than 10 per cent of the 11,000 applicants were successful.

Khmer Tnaot Tree was also selected for this year's Summer Exhibition.Khmer Tnaot Tree was also selected for this year's Summer Exhibition. (Image: Josie Appleby) This year, Royal Academy judge and painter Hurvin Anderson chose Josie’s artworks 'Pillars of Pines' and 'Khmer Tnaot Tree' for his room.

The artist moved to Watford with her family aged 11 to attend Watford Grammar School for Girls, and now lives in Oxhey Village with her partner Liam, 31, and son Leo, 4.

Josie Appleby started out painting portraits of animals and wildlife. Josie Appleby started out painting portraits of animals and wildlife. (Image: Josie Appleby) The mum has been a self-taught artist all her career and started out painting portraits of wildlife in oil paints.

But for 2024, she submitted two colour pencil drawings made during a family holiday to Thailand in February.

“I would say that I have been exploring a new direction as the work I’m probably more known for is my equestrian and wildlife paintings,” she said. “Whereas these ones are more purely focused on the landscape.

The drawings were made during a family holiday to Thailand in February with her partner Liam, 31, and son Leo, 4.The drawings were made during a family holiday to Thailand in February with her partner Liam, 31, and son Leo, 4. (Image: Josie Appleby) “The drawings that I’ve done are so personal to my family and the places that I’ve drawn from our traveling trip are all of the spots I didn’t want to forget."

The 32-year-old is represented by the Collier and Dobson Gallery and has secured a place at Turps Art School in south London in September.

The Royal Academy Summer Exhibition is open at Burlington House from June 18 to August 18.