A TEIGNMOUTH artist has launched a major exhibition at a Torquay art gallery.
Simon Fowler was born in Bristol and moved to the Teignbridge resort five years ago and says he has no intention of ever leaving.
His work portrays the coastline and magnificent landscapes to be found on Dartmoor and this month he is showing more than 70 original paintings.
He said:’I am influenced by the great outdoors, where I have spent most of my life developing an understanding and affinity with the natural world. trained in forestry and am a qualified horticulturist and garden designer, which has greatly influenced my art.
‘I also spent some years building and restoring mostly traditional boats which lead me into woodcarving and sculpture, further adding more experiences for my art to draw on.
‘While living in Bristol I spent thirty five years caving and potholing, which really gets you in touch with the natural landscape in environments that few experience, thus connecting me further to the world we live in.
It is very easy to be inspired by the natural world and explore all that it has to offer. Living as I do in Devon, I am greatly drawn to painting our coastline with all its geological diversity and of course Dartmoor, which has much to offer if one is prepared to take the time to look, look some more, then look again.’
He paints on board and canvas, exclusively in oils and produces only original work from his observations.
He said: ‘I don’t produce prints or cards, preferring to offer exclusivity of owning original paintings.’
Simon’s work can be seen until October 17 at the Artizan Gallery in Fleet Walk, Torquay.