In the past, the Trinamool Congress chief has held exhibitions of her paintings in Kolkata and Delhi. Even the recently introduced Duranto Express has a touch of Banerjee’s works with the coach design being based on her paintings.

The New Year greeting cards sent by the minister showcase different designs, including one made after dipping threads in various colours.

Some of the cards have yellow background with black and blue designs while others have her photograph on the cover.

In the last few years, Banerjee has also tried to raise awareness on various issues through her work as well as raise money for causes through the sale of her artwork.

During the Singur protests, her paintings sold for Rs 14 lakh; an amount she donated to farmers of the area who were protesting with her against the land acquisition.

Artist Shuvaprasanna feels while the minister may not have received any formal training in art, she more than makes up for it through her passion for it.

“There is an innocence in her work and she is fond of thicker mediums like acrylic, oil and pastels. She even came to me for a few lessons in charcoal sketches and prefers to paint the landscapes and simple folk subjects,” said the artist, who first met the minister when she asked him to go through a few works she wanted to auction to raise money for the poor farmers in West Midnapore.