Thuline De Cock, 56, has been a familiar figure in the South Lakes art scene for more than 25 years.

The Belgian-born artist has exhibited work in many iconic venues across the Lake District and has become widely recognised for her paintings of highland cows and Herdwick sheep.

Art by Thuline (Image: Supplied)

However, Thuline is now living with Adult Polyglucosan Body Disease (APBD), a rare inherited neurological disorder that affects only a small number of people worldwide.

The condition has sadly severely impacted her mobility and cognitive abilities, meaning that she is no longer able to paint and will never be able to return to the work she loves.

As her health has deteriorated, her husband, Dave Hill, has become her full-time carer, providing round-the-clock support at their home.

Thuline’s gallery at 26 Kirkland, Kendal, remains stocked with unsold artwork, but Dave is unable to leave her to run the gallery and continue selling the pieces.

One of Thuline’s paintings (Image: Supplied)

As a result, they have been left with the heartbreaking prospect of having to clear the premises.

Determined to help, close friend and fellow artist Julie Ann Scott has stepped in to support the couple.

Julie Ann will be working from the gallery over the coming weeks, from Tuesday to Saturday between 10am and 4pm, in the hope that the local community will rally around Thuline and Dave.

Visitors are being encouraged to browse and make an offer on any of the remaining stock, with paintings, placemats, coasters, mugs and T-shirts all available.

In a bid to help clear the gallery, Thuline and Dave are allowing customers to pay whatever they can afford.

Thuline opened her first gallery in Kendal in 2013 before opening one in Windermere in 2017.

The Windermere gallery, Thuline Studio-Gallery, closed last December due to deterioration of her health.

Thuline Studio-Gallery, Windermere (Image: Thuline De Cock)

Thuline then leapt at the chance to open 26 Kirkland earlier this year following the closure of The Dirty Dog, as the space is closer to her home and all on one floor, which made it more accessible.

At the time of the announcement of the new Kendal store in March, Thuline said: “I’m looking forward to having a shop in Kendal because we live in Kendal and most of our friends live here so it will be lovely.

People will be able to pop in, and I think it will be much more sociable than in the past.”