A DROITWICH Spa amateur artist is holding his first exhibition at the town library.

Stephen Evens, from Mayflower Road, is currently displaying his work, titled Pastels for Pleasure, at Droitwich Spa Library.

The exhibition is on the ground floor of the Victoria Square building and will run until Saturday June 18.

The paintings on display will show the range of subjects that Stephen enjoys painting in pastel and pastel pencils. These include big wild cats, landscapes, seascapes and marine subjects.

He has been painting with pastels for about ten years and has been able to enjoy spending more time developing his skills since retiring from a thirty-year career in the NHS Ambulance Service.

Stephen, 60, taught himself to paint and lists his influences as Edward Seago, Montague Dawson and many of the French impressionists such as Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro and Paul Cezanne.

He said: "I'm inspired by subjects that offer a real challenge to paint in pastel.

"I also find capturing speed and movement of ship and boats in my work really enjoyable. I particularly enjoy capturing a dramatic atmosphere to help enhance the mood of the painting."

Stephen also said he is looking forward to his first display and will be pleased to meet and talk to people about his art.

Many of the paintings will be up for sale and can be purchased at the library information desk and collected after the exhibition.