ARTIST Peter Barrett will be exhibiting wildlife paintings inspired by his recent exploration of the Somerset coast in an exhibition in Hemyock over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Peter, who began his career working as a graphic designer in advertising agencies in London, Canada and Athens, will also be showing work in a variety of media recording favourite sights and scenes over his lifetime.

Peter said late last winter he was on a boat with Nigel Phillips, living coast ambassador for the Somerset Wildlife Trust, heading down the River Brue from Highbridge.

“I found myself in a an environment reminiscent of the Camargue or the Norfolk Broads,” he said. “This trip led to many more expeditions along the length of the Somerset coast, from Glenthorne on the county’s western boundary with Devon, to the limestone outcrop of Brean down to the east.

“I learnt that, beyond the busy caravan sites and amusement parks, a short walk along the cliffs or beaches will reveal fresh aspects of land and seascape, with a fascinating variety of flora, fauna and geological formation.”

Peter has illustrated more than 40 books on wildlife as well as children’s books, and worked with authors including Gerald Durrell, Desmond Morris, David Attenborough, James Herriot, Roger Lovegrove and Alan Jenkins.

Peter works in a variety of media – watercolours, oils, pastels and etching. He has been based in the Culm Valley for the last 40 years and has avidly recorded the wildlife and landscapes he has seen, not only locally in the South-West of England but also on his travels in Africa, Greece, New Zealand, Europe and the USA.

The present exhibition is his second at the Garages, Millhayes, and runs from today (Friday) to Tuesday, May 27-31.