AN exhibition of paintings of countryside landscapes by a Devon artist have gone on display at the Arts Gallery in Red Lion Yard, Okehampton. Following a promising talent at school, resulting in a distinction in art, Don Nicholson became a farmer at Yeoford, near Crediton, where he has been for the last 35 years. This left little time for art, but in the last five years, with great encouragement from his tutor David Lubliski, he has painted in many parts of the UK and studied during painting holidays. For the last three years, Don has been awarded the ?favourite painting? prize, voted by those attending the Art in the Heart of Devon exhibition at Cheriton Bishop, but this is the first time he has had his own exhibition in Okehampton. Earlier this year, the prestigious Mall Galleries in London selected one of Don?s paintings to hang in the ?Not the Turner Prize? event sponsored by the Weekend Mail. The 10,000 entries were judged by a panel headed by Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber and his painting was among the 10% which were sold. In 2001, South West Academy of Arts accepted one of his works, which won the £500 prize voted for by the public. Don likes to paint in the open air in Devon whenever possible and uses tonal sketches with chalk and charcoal. Don said ?happy painting and picnicking days along the paths and rivers of Dartmoor, in all its moods? had been a huge influence on his work. Don has included maps of the places he has painted underneath many of his works. Don explained why he had decided to do this: ?It is important people relate to what they are looking at. ?We are very fortunate to live in such a beautiful part of the world and I hope the maps might encourage people to get out and explore the moor.? Don said painting on Dartmoor was rewarding because there was always something different to see or paint depending on the time of year. Among favourite features of the Dartmoor landscape he has captured on canvas are Cullever Steps under snow and Belstone Tor. The exhibition runs at the Arts? Gallery until the end of December.
