THERE is a diversity of talent coming from the members of Buckinghamshire Art Society.

Next weekend the society, which has more than 100 professional and semi-professional artists as members, is holding an exhibition of its most recent works in Beaconsfield.

More than 200 pieces of art, including watercolours, oil paintings and sculptures, will be on show.

The paintings vary in style from traditional watercolour landscapes and seascapes to brightly coloured naive works of art.

The artists come from backgrounds as varied as their work is different.

Brian Whybrow, a landscape and seascape artist, first began painting during World War II when he was stationed in Malta. But it wasn't until he retired from his work as a chartered quantity surveyor in 1982 that he was able to take up painting full-time. Much of his work these days is commissioned.

In complete contrast, Soozi de Leon first trained as a textile fashion designer and created her own knitwear collection in the 1980s. In the 1990s she concentrated on etching, printing and painting in watercolours and oils.

Other artists include aeronautical paintings by professional artist Denis Pannet who has recently exhibited in London, Podi Clack who shows her works of art in Paris, Swedish artist Eva Ryn Johannissen who paints landscapes in rich colours in watercolour and acrylics, and wildlife artist Linda Travers Smith who trained in America.

The Buckinghamshire Art Society is now into its 78th year. The first exhibition was held in the 1920s.

Brian Whybrow, chairman of the society, says: "The exhibition was initially set up to promote art throughout Buckinghamshire. Most of the paintings sold were in single figures."

In the 1950s, paintings by professional artists of the society were fetching around three guineas. These days, paintings sell for up to £2,000.

Lindi Bilgorri

% Buckinghamshire Art Society 1998 Autumn Exhibition is at The Fitzwilliams Centre, Windsor End, Beaconsfield, from Saturday, 19 September, to Sunday, 20 September, from 10am to 4pm. For more information contact Brian Whybrow (01494) 673156

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