AN EXHIBITION of paintings of the late Cotswolds artist Michael B Edwards has opened in Wichcombe and will run until October 3.

Held at Winds of Change Gallery, this is only the second exhibition of his work since his death in 2009.

Living in the Cotswolds meant artist Michael B Edwards was never short of inspiration for his paintings.

With his brushes always close to hand he captured scenes from the Golden Valleys to the hustle and bustle of Cheltenham high street.

Winds of Change gallery owner Jane Smoczynski is curating this exhibition on behalf of Michael’s daughter Karen Rayfield and her family.

The gallery is showing and selling selected pieces chosen from those her father left to them.

Karen says it is an emotional but exciting thing to do.

"There's a part of you that doesn't want to sell any of dad's paintings but he painted them for people to enjoy so I want them to go to new homes," she said.

Michael was well known for his paintings of the Gloucestershire countryside, views of the sea from around the British coast and trips to cities like Venice.

The exhibition provides a rare opportunity for people to buy one of his landscapes or seascapes.

Some 18 pieces will be on show at the Winchcombe gallery with another dozen for sale online.

"Painting and sailing were his two hobbies," Karen said. “He captured light really well which I think is really difficult, that’s something special about his work.

"He was an avid sailor and he painted seascapes and boats and he loved walking in the country so those scenes are in a lot of his paintings. He lived in the Cotswolds for a long time and loved painting them. He painted what he loved and it shows."

  • Michael B Edwards's paintings are on show in a selling exhibition at Winds of Change Gallery, 8 High Street, Winchcombe until October 3. Go to www.windsofchangegallery.co.uk for details.