Intuitive is how north London artist Bindi Nicholls describes the process of her work. Bindi, the daughter of Rolf Harris, says she can’t remember a point when she hasn’t produced art.

“It’s not been a decision, it’s part of who I am,” says Bindi. “My dad would be working and he’d give me a paintbrush and I’d have a go next to him. Both mum and dad encouraged me by putting all my pictures up on the walls.

“Mum was like a walking painting. She wore colourful kaftans and there were batik paintings and African sculptures everywhere. I absorbed art by osmosis. I can’t get away from it, it’s in my blood.”

It undeniably is. Bindi achieved top marks in art at O and A level, did a two-year BTEC at Amersham School of Art in one year, and went on to study fine art at Bristol Polytechnic. She completed her studies with a post-grad diploma in painting at the London School of Art last year. Her first solo show since her graduation, The Space Between the Space is at The McNeill Gallery in Radlett this month. Having sold some of the work due for exhibition, Bindi is frantically producing more for the show.

When we speak, the 47-year-old artist is enjoying the benefits of a sunny morning at her studio in the Chocolate Factory, Wood Green. She tells me her art is very much shaped by her mood. Her Crouch End home and garden are adorned with her colourful artworks including mosaics, paintings and installations.

“The whole house is a reflection of what I’m feeling. Basically I’m an intuitive painter. I like going with how it feels at the time, so the work has its own life.”

Bindi works vary from vast expressive pieces to intricate sculptures. One ceramic piece has a woman’s torso at the front with a church leading off behind.

“I wanted to construct it as a building so you’d walk through legs and go in. It would be a place for women to take their daughters in celebration of everything to do with being a woman. Women are the backbone of our society. They keep things going in a very humble way and have a great responsibility to keep it all together. I want to build an honorable place where both men and women can go to respect that.”

Bindi would also like people to give art the respect it is due and to acknowledge the importance it should have in every person’s life.

“I did a workshop with a group of adults and discovered a lot of people lose their confidence to draw and paint. There’s a feeling that everything has to be photographic, but it’s not true. Art is for everybody to express themselves. I don’t think teachers should mark your work, you should be self-motivated and look at your own bank of artwork and see where you can take it.

“Art so important in our society. We have a primal instinct to make a mark. Without it, everything would be grey.”

Bindi’s work is at the McNeill Gallery, Watling Street, Radlett from March 21-27. Details: 01923 859594