MALVERN artist John Smythe is celebrating 55 years of painting with an exhibition in the town.

Entitled Ancient and Modern, the exhibition is on at the Long Gallery in Malvern School of Art, Albert Road North.

The expedition spans Mr Smythe's 55-year painting career, about half of which he has spent as a student at the college in Malvern

The artworks being shown encompass a wide range of styles and approaches, and include both representational portraits and landscapes and abstract responses to the wonder of the world.

Mr Smythe's painting career has been combined with both life as a Church of England priest and then as a barrister lecturing in law. He finds the experience of painting joyful and he would like his work to inspire and encourage others to join courses at the school and enjoy the experience of creating art work.

He said: "Part of the pleasure for me in making these pictures has been in working on the spot in front of the subject while life goes on around me. Conditions change, time passes and you forget to be tired in the business of making the painting.

"It is a great joy, and I expect that musicians and many others making work know this well. I would urge anyone so inclined to study one of the arts at this college."

Most of the paintings are for sale and the Long Gallery is open Monday-Friday 10am-4pm until Friday, November 27.