AFTER an absence of three years, West Somerset artist David Jessup will be showing recent paintings of favourite Exmoor themes in a new exhibition opening on Friday (September 4) in the Dulverton Heritage Centre Gallery.

As with previous exhibitions, there will be much emphasis on trees and water, subjects which never lose their appeal to him and are important aspects of the national park.

A self-taught painter, Mr Jessup has lived and worked on Exmoor for more than 60 years.

With his wife, Liz, they formed Brendon Hill Crafts, a joint collaboration producing high quality preserves and illustration services.

The Lost Gardens of Heligan, the National Trust, and RHS Rosemoor were among their valued clients commissioning prints and notecard illustrations for many years.

Brendon Hill Crafts still produces high quality preserves with the new owners now on the Blackdown Hills.

Since retiring, Mr Jessup has continued to paint in oils, a medium he has enjoyed since selling his first painting at the age of 14 years and one which he feels best captures the light and subtleties of the Exmoor landscape.

He often uses an impasto technique, where paint is laid on to the canvas so thickly that it stands out from the surface and visibly shows the brush or palette knife strokes.

Mr Jessup has always priced his work modestly, believing that his original paintings should be within the reach of every lover of Exmoor.

The exhibition, which is opening a day earlier than planned, will run until September 11 and is open from 10 am to 5 pm daily, except for Friday when it closes at 1 pm.

Visitors to Minehead can also see examples of Mr Jessup’s work as the town’s welcome sign carries some of his pen and wash drawings.