MARY Martin is holding her Christmas exhibition ?Winter Brilliance? at West Brendon, St Dominick from Monday December 1 to Saturday December 20.

Mary has painted professionally since 1975 when she returned to St Dominick in Cornwall after completing her studies at the Royal Academy Schools.

She paints out-of-doors and is best known for her eloquent paintings of the narcissi slopes, luxuriant hedgerows, derelict orchards and woods of her native Tamar Valley. She has had numerous successful exhibitions.

This show of some 80 oils represents her environs between the autumn and spring equinoxes. Mary is out well before sunrise and at sunset, painting the light effects slanting low on familiar landscapes.

She has captured the radiant intensity of the wintry sun rising above drifts and pools of mist.

Vaporous mornings are succeeded by clear golden light reflected on baskets of apples in the orchard, late marigolds and luscious still-lifes.

Sheep are portrayed haloed by the first sun in sparkling frost above the shadowy valley.

Rime and infrequent snowfall transform trees and, in the coldest month, cattle feed from troughs on frozen, rutted puddles all gilded in the fiery sunset.

Warm and colourful interiors lit by fire and candlelight contrast with images of autumn storms and icy winterbound landscapes. Bunches of snowdrops and anemones are harbingers of lengthening days.

This exhibition of vital and evocative paintings is an affirmation of the fleeting light and brilliance of midwinter.

Open every day from 11am to 4pm or by appointment. Admission free. Refreshments available.

Telephone 01579 350696 for information and directions.