A McMaster psychiatrist has displayed her first ever oil painting at a prestigious art show at the Louvre in Paris, France.

Sarah Garside, an associate professor of psychiatry for the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, was one of 10 Canadian artists chosen by a jury of art experts to display their work at the Louvre as part of an international exhibition organized by the French National Society of Fine Arts.

“It’s like I’ve received a Nobel prize, I’m so excited,” she said. “The doors this could potentially open are amazing.”

Read Hamilton artist scores a Louvre exhibit…with her first oil painting

Garside excelled at art, particularly in pencil, water colours and acrylics, in school 40 years ago. Drawing portraits and teaching art at Hillfield-Strathallan College helped pay her way through university.

With her four boys now between 11 and 20,  she has had more time to develop and use her art skills.

Working with Hamilton artist Audrey Traini, she was taught how to complete an oil painting like the old masters. Her teacher sent the work to be judged for the annual worldwide exhibition, and Garside’s oil painting was chosen by the society and hung at the Louvre from Dec. 17 to Dec. 20.