Ivan Taylor is the artist whose exhibition of new paintings opens at Art Matters Gallery on Tuesday, July 1. Born in Staffordshire, Ivan's early interest in art resulted in 40 of his paintings being shown on BBC TV's 'Sketch Club' and then sold to raise funds for UNICEF. Ivan studied Fine Art and Graphics at Stoke and Stafford Colleges before working as a graphic artist in industry and then as head of graphics for the county's education department. Painting in both oils and watercolours, primarily choosing to depict landscapes, Ivan had his first solo exhibition in 1972 and has been a professional artist for the last 18 years. He supplies galleries in Wales, England, the USA, Belgium and France with his original work as well as undertaking commissions for private buyers, and has work in many private and some public collections across the world. His painting has been reproduced in 'Studio' art publication and also put into print. In 2002, 2003 and 2004, Ivan held successful one- man exhibitions in Dallas, Texas and was recently re-elected president of the Society of Staffordshire Artists. This is traditional painting at its best: delicate watercolours and subtle oils, landscapes with buildings and suggestions of human activity and occupation. Ivan's watercolours were not only selected for the past three years for the prestigious Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour Exhibition, but he was also awarded the Rowland Hilder Prize in 2006. The exhibition by this talented and prolific artist comprises more than 30 paintings in oil and watercolour, including paintings of Tenby and other parts of Pembrokeshire as well as many other locations in the UK and some lovely paintings of Venice and Majorca. Ivan Taylor's exhibition opens on Tuesday, July 1 and continues until the 28th. The gallery is situated in Tenby town centre opposite the town walls and next to the fire station and is open daily except Wednesday from 10 am to 5 pm. Entry is free. There is an opportunity to meet the artist when he will be 'in residence', painting in the gallery on Saturday, July 12, from 11 am to 4 pm, and everyone is invited. The entire exhibition can be viewed on the gallery website: http://www.artmatters.org.uk">www.artmatters.org.uk. Please ring 01834 843375 for any further information.