Norwich Blogger and artist Ruth Knapp is one half of Life in a Fine City

EDP Original. Norwich blogger, Ruth Knapp. (Image: © Archant 2015)

Ruth Knapp says her second home is the Birdcage pub in the heart of Norwich Lanes.

As she settles down for a chat and sips her drink, a friend from Grosvenor Fish Bar across the road drops in to hand her a box of chips.

It's clear the 37-year-old is part of the furniture in the narrow streets that make up the lanes, popular with independent shops, restaurants and bars.

'It's a cultural hub,' she said. 'Down here you get to know everyone, it's like a family.'

EDP Original. Norwich blogger, Ruth Knapp. (Image: © Archant 2015)

And it is her love of the area that led her and friend Amber Green to launch an online blog about the city, its people and places to go.

The busy duo review independent shops, hunt out talented artists and aim to showcase the city and all its hidden gems.

'If something is new we will write about it,' she said. 'We compliment each other well. It works really well as a partnership.'

It is in the last few years that things have really taken off for Ms Knapp, when an art course at Wensum Lodge in Norwich sparked a new career as an artist.

But while her studio is just a small table in the busy Earlham Road home she shares with her daughters, her colourful stencil designs are already proving popular.

Commuters in Norwich may remember seeing her pineapple design in St Stephen's underpass last year, and will see more next month when the new underpass project launches on July 3.

Ms Knapp likes to 'make things happen' and has helped organise a Christmas fair and vintage sales, in the hope of boosting the profile of the area.

A typical day will begin with the school run, and then 'rushing around' to get everything done before picking up six-year-old Laila and nine-year-old Tegan in the afternoon.

'My work is fun. It doesn't feel like a chore to me. I can write things from my bed,' she said.

'I just do it for the love.'

While she was born in Norwich and went to school in the city, she was not always such a fan of her home town.

'I lived in London for a few years when I was younger. I didn't love Norwich back then. Unlike London, it's easy to make things happen here if you want to.

'Norwich wasn't as exciting back then.'

Colourful and unique tattoos are etched onto her arms and legs, but not on her face, 'my mum would kill me' she said.

While the blog is has become a favourite with Norwich locals, some posts are aimed to provide information for tourists.

And her advice to people visiting the city? 'Come and sit down somewhere, grab lunch and soak it in.

'There are lots of great things to do.'

Life in a Fine City's latest project is a joint effort between the bloggers and Moosey Art, to transform the busy St Stephen's underpass.

On the weekend of the Lord Mayor's celebration weekend, 48 local artists will be showcasing their work on the boards.

Live painting will see the final seven completed on July 4 in the Chantry Lane car park.

'We are hoping to make it something people want to go and see. We have got some really good artists.'

It follows a similar project last year which saw art pasted on to boards in the underpass, but it is hoped the latest art while remain for some time.

'We thought, why don't we create it again but make it more permanent,' she said.

'If something is really good people will leave it alone.'

And if writing a busy blog, creating and selling art and raising two children is not enough, a life drawing class at Wensum Lodge has been added to her schedule.

'It is like gym for the eyes,' she added.

But her next project has not yet been decided. 'We are going to get through the underpass because it is a massive project before we look at anything else in the future,' said Ms Knapp.

To view Ms Knapp's art search for ruth.knapp.artist on Instagram.

To find out about Life in a Fine City visit www.lifeinafinecity.com