ARTIST John Harris has been doing the maths, and he reckons he's about to launch his 34th Annual Inkberrow Exhibition.

This impressive fact dawned on him when someone called him, revealing how they'd bought a painting at his first exhibition, way back in 1982.

John has had an interesting career, before and since.

He and his family returned to the UK in 1977, after he spent 13 years as an art teacher in Malawi, at which time John took up the post of Head of Art at the then recently opened Arrow Vale High School in Redditch.

An exhibition spokesman said: "It’s many years now since John taught art, first in South Wales, in Malawi and latterly in Worcestershire, but he’s frequently surprised to be contacted by past pupils, now scattered world-wide, who are interested to see the work he’s doing now. Though it gave him pause for thought recently, to meet up with a rather elderly lady who remembered him teaching her at his first job in South Wales.

"A prolific artist, John supplies work to several UK galleries in the UK and in the Middle East, where he travels regularly on sketching trips. There, the desert, mountain and coastal scenes make ideal material for his atmospheric watercolours. With strong connections in South Africa and Kenya too, he has the opportunity to take in the rich and varied landscapes for painting on a grand scale."

The spokesman added: "Back home, commissioned work often gives him the opportunity to visit unfamiliar parts of the country, new views to enjoy. A recent commission though, had John delving into the history of Pershore. After much research, he produced designs for three large stained glass windows to commemorate Pershore’s war efforts to be installed in the cemetery chapel there."

Autumn always, sees John painting more familiar views for his Inkberrow show, "which will give local people the chance to see the broad scope of his work, for in addition to village views and familiar landscapes around Warwickshire and Worcestershire, they’ll also find some wildlife studies on display".

His latest exhibition will take place at the Sports Pavilion, Sands Road, Inkberrow, from Saturday, November 26 and Friday, December 2, from 10am to 5pm daily. Parking and admission is free.

Further information on, 01386 792975 and www.harris-watercolours.co.uk