For the first time ever, Epsom College has an artist in residence.

Working from her studio on the top floor of the art school, professional artist Sam Walker will bring a new dimension to the school’s art department.

The residency will allow Sam to pursue her own work while developing a close working relationship with teachers in the art department, as well as fostering a creative collaboration between artist and students.

Sam said: “It’s good for students to see an artist at close quarters working nine to five, being professional in a subject that is primarily vocational.

At the same time, it will be great to have an audience as it keeps my work alive – the students will be good levellers.”

Sam’s work is inspired by the Victorian culture and English traditions such as Punch and Judy.

Working in oil and glaze, she uses the trompe-l’oeil effect popular in the decorative arts of the rococo period.

Coming from a family of artists and designers, she graduated from Coventry University in 1995 with an honours degree in Fine Arts. Following a period at The Royal Collection and working as a freelance journalist and picture editor for national newspapers, Sam returned to painting full time in 2005 while living in Los Angeles.

A member of the Chelsea Arts Club, Sam’s work is included in private collections in Los Angeles, Amsterdam and London.

She is expected to stage an exhibition of her work at the college.