FORMER Bewdley man Peter Coates has returned to Wyre Forest with an exhibition of his artwork which has gone on show at Kidderminster Library gallery.

Mr Coates, who trained as a graphic designer before working as a management consultant for 12 years, turned professional painter 18 months ago. artist Peter Coates with one of his landscapes at Kidderminster Library.

Splash of Colour, which can be seen until October 6, features 30 pieces, mainly landscapes in oils of Mediterranean scenes, featuring "warm, vibrant" colours.

"It was terrifying," he says of his decision to give up the day job. "But I produced two or three pictures and sold them very quickly so that was encouraging."

In addition, he was taken up by a publishing firm in America and is exhibiting in selected galleries in Britain.

The Yorkshire-born artist, who now lives in Devon, lived in Bewdley for two or three years and still visits the town regularly to stay with his three daughters.

He says his inspiration comes from the Mediterranean and particularly the south of France where he paints many of his images.

He also cites the influence of the Impressionist and Fauve painters, the latter using expanses of vivid, often primary colours.

The exhibition also includes seascapes and abstract pictures as well as work in pastels and mixed media.