A BUDDING artist has won an international award.

Naomi Sykes, 13, of Highburton, has been named Junior Artist of the Year at the Artist and Young Artist of the Year 2003 Awards.

The competition is run by the Society For All Artists.

Naomi had two paintings selected for the final and beat off competition from 3,000 entries by artists around the world.

The paintings were on display at the Artists' and Illustrators' Exhibition in Islington, London.

Naomi and her parents, Neil and Bronwen, were there for the judging.

She was presented with an engraved crystal goblet, a certificate and £100 worth of art materials.

Naomi won her title with an entry in the watercolour Junior Waterscene, Boats or Seascape category.

The picture is entitled Samsam and features a boat in a storm, based on a painting called Smokey by Tony Couch.

Naomi said: "As Smokey was the name of a cat my mum had when she was little, I decided to name the boat in my picture after my own cat.

"I am very proud of it and think it is one of the best paintings I have ever done."

Mrs Sykes said: "I was very proud. It was awarded to her as an artist rather than on one single painting. It was in recognition of her talent."

Naomi produced both her entry paintings at Kirkburton White Rosebud Art Group, which she joined when she was 10.

The group is run by painter Trevor Fawcett, who gives Naomi weekly lessons.

Mr Fawcett also travelled to London and said judges told him it was unheard of for an artist to get two paintings in the final.

He said: "The standard was so high, it was brilliant.

"Naomi has always been very good. She has done some wonderful pictures. When I look back at her early days it's just a continual progression. She just gets better and better," he added.

Naomi, whose hobbies also include climbing and music, said: "I have enjoyed drawing and painting for as long as I can remember. I find painting relaxing and get a sense of satisfaction when the picture is finished."

Naomi, a Huddersfield Town fan, recently left Kirkburton Middle School. She starts at Shelley High next month.