AN EXHIBITION of paintings and sculpture inspired by Durlston Country Park and the county of Dorset opens later this month.

Entitled, Light, Life and Landscapes, it will open at the Fine Foundation Gallery, based in Durlston Castle, in Swanage on Saturday, October 25 and remain on show until Sunday, November 23, from 11am to 3pm.

Works featured by artists, Bruce Pearson and Anne Shingleton, included watercolour and oil paintings, relief and monotype prints, and drawings and studies from the wild of everything from the Abbotsbury swans to Studland seahorses to Durlston’s nesting seabirds.

Anne grew up in Dorset is renowned for her mastery of the animal form and of light and luminosity. The exhibition will feature not only her paintings, but also her animal bronzes.

She said: “I am delighted to be showing my work in my home county of Dorset. After 32 years of living and working under the Tuscan Sun, the Mediterranean sunlight has taught me much about painting colour and light.

“It has been a wonderful challenge to return and paint in oils the animals and landscapes that were my focus for etchings in my student days.

“The Abbotsbury Swannery is a favourite haunt of mine, resulting in a large body of work on the Mute Swan. My next project is naturally a large bronze swan.”

Bruce, who is a former president of the Society of Wildlife Artists, said: “It is incredibly exciting drawing new inspiration out of old experiences, seeing new forms coming to life from half-forgotten ideas.

“After almost 30 years as a professional artist, creatively, these are the most exciting times of all.”

Cllr Colin Jamieson, Dorset County Council Cabinet member for community services, said: “The beautiful countryside and wildlife at Durlston make a perfect setting for this exhibition, which will be a treat for anyone who loves wildlife, Dorset or great visual art.”

Both Bruce and Anne will be talking about their work on the morning of October 25, before offering the chance for residents to work with them in the afternoon.

Entry to Durlston Country Park, Durlston Castle and the exhibition is free.