CREDITON-based artist Vin Jelly has had his painting of Dame Sarah Mullally accepted into the prestigious Royal Portrait Society exhibition at the Mall Galleries in London.

Vin asked the Bishop to sit for him when he met her at the Crediton Town Council reception hosted by Cllr Frank Letch more than a year ago.

At that time, the artist had recently painted the mayor’s portrait, which was also displayed at last year’s Royal Portrait Society exhibition. Frank and Natalia Letch attended the opening with the artist, where they met various celebrities including Boy George.

Bishop Sarah sat for Vin late in 2017 and her portrait was completed in his Crediton home.

The Bishop wanted to include references to Mary Magdelene washing Christ’s feet as a symbol of the fact that being a bishop is a service-based role.

When the portrait was started, Dame Sarah was Bishop of Crediton but, before the painting was completed, received notification of her new role.

It is, therefore, the first portrait of the first female Bishop of London and was completed in Crediton.

The portrait will remain in London after the exhibition, which ends on May 25, and will belong to the Bishop.