THE moment Josie Webster picked up a brush, something special happened.
She was in an art class at Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Art Centre, Gymea, when the teacher noticed Ms Webster could paint more than stick figures.
From a blank canvas to vivid landscape scenes, Ms Webster, 18, discovered a hidden skill.
After photos of her work appeared on Facebook, global galleries came calling.
Ms Webster, of Engadine, has four of her creations on show in New York at a public exhibition from October 28.
She was invited as the first and only Australian to participate in "Heart and Sold" — an international collection of work by 26 artists who have Down syndrome to coincide with Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
With a talented eye for landscapes, Ms Webster paints places she has visited, including Tasmania, the Barossa Valley and Uluru.
She is also studying vocational skills at TAFE.
Her mother Julie said her daughter's artistic skill was a revelation.
"I had no idea," she said.
"It wasn't until after her first class at Hazelhurst the tutor told me she did amazing reproductions of landscapes and she's progressed from there."
The exhibition will also be displayed in London.
