BOTANICAL artist, Frances Payne, makes a welcome return to Colby Gallery with her solo exhibition starting on Monday, July 25. 'Gardens and Hedgerows' is a superb collection of her latest water colour studies of cottage garden plants, insects and wild flowers, all meticulously observed from life. These 'live specimens' which are Frances's constant inspiration all live in and around her home near Whitland, where she paints them in all their seasonal colours, winter foliage, with snowdrops and helibores, spring primroses and bluebells, summer roses and autumn berries. Her supremely detailed end results are achieved after she has gone through a very labour intensive process of multiple sketch-drawings of plant habitats, some of which will be on show alongside her exhibition pieces. Coinciding with the start of the school holidays, 'Gardens and Hedgerows' runs until August 7, and is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm. Those with young families may like to combine their visit with one of the 'Thursday Fun Days' - now a regular Colby calendar event -or go along on Sunday, July 31, when the National Trust Theatre Company entertains with 'As Far As I Can Sea', especially with younger visitors in mind. Despite the reliable unreliability of the British climate, be assured that cover will be provided, so whatever the weather, the show will go on, at 12 noon and 2.30 pm to be precise. For further information, ring the gallery on (01834) 814200.
