LOCAL artist, Chris Edwards has been joined by Nottinghamshire based painter, Elaine Nash, to provide a vibrant and colourful exhibition based on 'Landscapes and Wordscapes' at Bude Castle from Monday, September 13 through Monday, October 4.

The pair have collaborated to explore how places and poems have influenced their painting.

The thinking behind the exhibit is described:?'When the words of a poem have provided the impetus for a painting. In drawing inspiration from poetry, it has been fascinating to discover that the words of poets from the past also echo personal experiences and feelings of the present.

'When a strong feeling for the landscape has inspired the painting then it has been extraordinary to find a poem that exactly mirrors the spirit of the place.'

Since early childhood Chris has explored the seashore, cliff-tops, woodland and countryside of Cornwall, immersing herself in the spirit of place.

She walks all over the county collecting inspiration and uses a camera as a sketch book, though prefers to pack up all the paraphernalia of the oil painter and paint plein air before beginning larger studio work in oils. Always, she attempts to capture the light, and atmosphere of the stunning places upon which she feasts her eyes. This often includes the very nature of the rocks or plant life. She has a fascination for detail in pattern and texture in water, sea and sky.

She has work in Australia, Northern Cyprus, Canada and USA as well as the UK and also exhibits her work at the Lander Gallery Truro and at a 'homemade' gallery in Kilkhampton.