MEMBERS of the public were drawn to a 'live art' project on Friday in the grounds of St Eustachius Church in Tavistock.

'Live on Spot' was designed to involve the public and to attract art lovers to the town for the Drawn to the Valley Open Studios which starts on August 31.

Four of Drawn to the Valley group's professional artists — Ian Heard, Ian Pethers, Mary Gillett and Pat Bates —were on hand to organise the public paintings.

Illustrator and painter Ian Heard said: There are 30 to 40 artists alone in Tavistock and more than 100, including the Tamar Valley, but the public generally don't know who we are apart from the odd exhibition. so this is a great way to say hello.

'I always wanted to do a big picture of these beautiful Tavistock buildings and thought it would be good to involve the public and let them have a go themselves.

'We are hoping that once they are completed they will be exhibited in the town hall and the church or some place where the public can appreciate them.'

The artists set easels, made by Jeff Moody, up in the churchyard and from scratch on canvas started to draw a four feet by nine feet frieze of Tavistock Town Hall and Bedford Square and a three by four feet painting of St Eustachius Church. Members of the public joined in during the day to make their contribution to the paintings.

Roger Croxson, vice-chairman of the Drawn to the Valley group, said: 'There has been a lot of interest from the public with children and adults joining in and having a go.

'One person said to me that they haven't painted for years but picking up a brush today has encouraged them to get out their paints again.'

Donations were asked for those taking part for a £1 with the money given to St Eustachius.

Drawn to the Valley Open Studies celebrates ten creative years of artists of the Tamar Valley where the pubic will be welcome to the artists open studios to enjoy their works on display.