A LOCAL artist and musician will be promoting his new book at a book signing event being held in Pershore.

Peter Hodge's book, the Cotswolds & Beyond, contains a large selection of the works he has created during his career as an artist.

Mr Hodge studied at Gloucester College of Art and Design and then worked as a ceramic artist for several years at Boehm of Malvern, before becoming a freelance artist in 1984.

He travelled extensively, including to Asia, which enabled him to expand his artistic knowledge and experience.

His skills enabled him to tackle many different subjects, but his reputation was built around the landscape watercolour paintings he subsequently produced for two Broadway-based galleries, Richard Hagen and then John Noott.

The book is also a review of his career and there are examples of his work for card designs and views of animals, cricket on the village green, and still life.

The cathedrals at Gloucester, Hereford and Worcester also feature in the new book.

The forward was written by Evesham impressionist and comedian Alistair McGowan.

Mr Hodge said: "I realised when I was painting many of these scenes that I was recording a way of life that was fast disappearing.

"However, I am astounded just how quickly the changes have occurred, particularly in the areas around my home in Evesham.

"Many of the local villages which once experienced just a trickle of road traffic are now at times grid-locked, and so much of the once green landscape is today covered in brick and tarmac.

"It saddens me to see the dramatic effect that pollution and overcrowding is having on our environment with no discernible long term solution.”

Mr Hodge has also recorded a number of solo albums, while in more recent times he has joined forces with Rob Powell and Lorna Joy-Davies as part of the band Wyrewood, and will be known to readers as the teacher of local art classes and workshops.

The book signing is being held at Sedgeberrow Books in Pershore High Street, this Saturday, April 27.

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