Former United States President Bill Clinton has added another work by Christchurch artist Rhonda Campbell to his collection. Mr. Clinton's cousins, David and Evelyn Clinton - or Bo and Sissy, as they are known to their friends in Little Rock, Arkansas - were in Christchurch at the weekend, and bought two paintings by Campbell.

The self-taught artist showed her appreciation by presenting a work entitled 'Another Saturday Night' for Mr. Clinton. The painting depicts a nightclub scene.

Mr. Clinton, who visited Christchurch in 1999, already has two of Campbell's works. One, a print resembling his famous cat, Sox, hung in the White House while he was in office. It has joined a floral water colour by Campbell at the New York house he shares with his wife, Senator Hillary Clinton.

The Clintons are not alone in their appreciation of Campbell's work. Her brightly coloured paintings and prints sell for up to $8000 each and have made her one of Canterbury's top-selling artists.

Canterbury Artist Rhonda Campbell is displaying her artwork in the Clinton household in USA. One of her original artworks will be hung in the Clinton's New York house, and one of her art prints is also in their collection.

Ms Campbell first come into contact with the Clintons three years ago, when the cousin, David Clinton and his wife Evelyn, bought paintings from her Christchurch Arts Centre gallery.

When Ms Campbell discovered the couple were related to the president, she gave them a print of a cat, which she thought looked like the presidential cat, Sox, to give to Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Ms Campbell received a thank-you letter back from the Clintons at the White House on their stationery, signed by Bill Clinton personally.

Then, two days ago, David and Evelyn returned to visit Ms Campbell's gallery with friends from Little Rock, and between them, they bought everything (except for one painting) she had in stock. It was a sell-out. This time she managed to find a suitable original to send through to Bill and Hillary, for the New York house. The painting was of spring flowers done in watercolour, "quite a nice painting," said Ms Campbell.

After a third visit from Bo and Sissy Clinton and some more purchases of Rhonda's art, Rhonda received a third thank you letter from Bill and Hillary Clinton.