Artist's exhibition is inspired by Ireland

10:22am Thursday 19th April 2007

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CAPTURING the brooding atmosphere of his subjects perfectly, artist Ray Evans is currently exhibiting some of his more recent paintings in the Creasey and Portico galleries at Salisbury library.

This is the first time that these particular works have been seen in the artist's home city and their striking beauty makes a real impact in the gallery space. And if you are more familiar with Ray Evans' illustrations, you will be in for a surprise.

Inspired by a visit to Ireland in 1995, where he found the people and landscapes captivating, Ray says: "It changed my outlook on landscape and subsequently I started painting like this with solid acrylic colour and collage rather than watercolour. It changed my style so utterly.

"I just love the rock of the western coast of Ireland. It is wonderful architecturally with its landscape of rocks, hills and mountains," he adds.

Ray Evans, at 86, only retired from painting last year. He began his career in the Army stationed at the Royal Artillery, Larkhill, but even then drew panoramas and it was while serving in the Army that he realised where his passion lay and he left to pursue a career in art and drawing in particular.

He enrolled at Manchester College of Art and became a successful cartoonist, illustrator and painter with a long and fulfilling career, including a stint as a cartoonist for South Today.

Much of his illustration work is of a highly detailed, architectural nature, a complete contrast to his more recent paintings.

He has also published eight books about drawing and painting buildings as well as one on the art of sketching.

Architecture has always fascinated him and, even in his later paintings on view at Salisbury library, this is evident.

He has lived in southern England for the past 30 years and in Salisbury for the past 16.

A member of the Royal Institute of Painters and Watercolours and a Member of the Cambrian Society, Ray has also been a Fellow of the Society of Architectural Illustrators.

Ray will be giving one of his paintings from the exhibition to the permanent John Creasey collection at the library, and the exhibition runs until May 26.