Penarth Nub News aims to support our community - promoting shops, businesses, artists, charities, clubs and sports groups.

We are profiling some of these in a feature called 'Up Close in Penarth'.

Today, we introduce you to local artist and driftwood collector Jamie Lawrence.

The sea cures all ailments of man - Plato

Surely we've all experienced one of the many ailments of lockdown?

Isolation, anxiety, depression, even cabin fever - all have spiked globally over the past 12 months.

Thankfully, the people of Penarth live within walking distance of the seaside, and we are able to replenish our spirits with a dose of Vitamin Sea when we take our daily exercise.

But very few of us have used this time to explore a new hobby.

Still fewer are now pursuing a seaside activity as strange and unique as creating artworks out of driftwood.

"I started in January because of lockdown boredom really and just wanting to do something," Jamie Lawrence tells Nub News.

The 19-year-old artist is on a gap year after completing his studies at Stanwell Sixth Form last year.

Like many people his age, Jamie is unsure about his future.

Where will he go to uni? What will he study? After the unpredictability of recent months, next year looms as an uncertain place.

But he is sure of one thing: that he loves making art.

"I've always enjoyed doing creative things. I do lots of sketching and ink drawing and post it on my Instagram.

"I've never done woodwork before but it's something that I've picked up and found a new hobby."

Hobby is an understatement.

Jamie has collected bags full of driftwood from Penarth beach, from which he has created an anchor sculpture, a lighthouse, watch stands, and even a replica of St Augustine's Church.

"When I was walking down by the beach, I'd notice a lot of driftwood and I just love the eccentric shapes that are always unique of driftwood.

"I like finding cube-shaped driftwood because then I can make houses and cottages - things like that."

Jamie says he loves finding fragments of trees, sheds and furniture and giving them a new life through his art.

"Reusing all these different pieces, as well as helping the environment, is good because they all have a story behind them.

"Sometimes I wonder where a certain piece may have come from - what it was before - and how I can put it to a better use.

"I don't know why. I just like it in a weird way."

Jamie sells what he makes via an Etsy page. Nub News asks how it feels to be making money as an artist.

"I've always loved making stuff and have never been able to sell it.

"I love people appreciating what I put on my Instagram, but to be able to sell something that you've made is a really nice feeling."

And has Jamie noticed a change in his mental state as a result of finding this new lockdown hobby?

"Definitely. I've really enjoyed having the routine of coming down to the beach to collect driftwood.

"I've now got five or six bags - so I'll probably never get through it all - but I still come down to collect more."

To buy a Jamie Lawrence piece, visit his Etsy page.

Follow Jamie on instagram at @jamielawrence_art