Distinguished artist Mike Bernard will be showcasing a range of new paintings at Beer’s Marine House from April 17 to 30.

Mike, who is a member of The Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours, has a natural gift and skill in capturing the mood of his chosen studies.

He has won an array of awards over the years along with international recognition. His talent can in part be attributed to his artist’s eye for composition and perspective, as he always seems to find an intriguing and original setting.

Well known for his virtuoso use of various media within his signature collage technique, Mike regularly underpins his compositions with newsprint or tissue, often from the subject location. This is then overlaid with bold, colourful or sometimes subdued brushwork and completion of fine detailing often using printed card, tickets or other printed matter.

Mike recalled his conversion to his signature style. In the early 90s having graduated from the Royal Academy School and starting a career in teaching, he said he was “out in London with students who, when confronted with a blank canvas, seemed to freeze and be unable to start”

Mike added: “In exasperation, I thought why not send them round the streets to find discarded tickets, bits of paper and card to stick to the canvas. It clearly broke the mental block.”

So impressed was he by the dynamic created that he converted from classical oils to the collage style himself – and it is now the bedrock of his reputation.

For his latest exhibition, Essential Mike Bernard - The Artist’s Eye, the latest in a number of solo shows for Mike dating back 20 years, his new collection of 40 new works showcases some of his favourite haunts, including the coastal villages of Devon, places in London and Italy. Though he has painted many of these locations, such as Beer on the Jurassic Coast, many times, they always present a freshness and compelling originality of composition.

Mike’s exhibition comes just as the gallery has been allowed to reopen after four months of being physically closed. The solo show will be open daily from 10am to 5.30pm and everyone is welcome to attend the launch day on Saturday, April 17, when Mike will be present.

Simply contact the gallery on 01297 625257 for an invitation. Most pieces will be available to view online and via the gallery’s catalogue from early April. However, nothing can surpass the impact and sheer joy of viewing Mike’s work for real.