One of our newest members to the Society is Professional Artist - Ian Hudson. Ian Hudson Artist A prolific Artist and Art Teacher. We asked when he started painting and Ian gives us a background into his work ... "I started painting birds in 1979 and then was encouraged to paint pet portraits by commission. In 1980 I moved to Exmoor where I became a professional artist and started painting landscapes. I attended the Brendon Art Group for several years and exhibited with them, subsequently starting my own exhibitions. My most prominent exhibition is the annual fundraiser for the RNLI at the North Devon Yacht Club, Instow - now in its 28th year - which has raised several thousand pounds for the lifeboat. My work has extended to marine paintings - old working sail ships of the Torridge and Taw estuary ........... and scenes of Appledore and the North Devon coast together with wildlife, portraiture and figure studies......... My favourite medium is watercolour, but I do use charcoal for life drawing. I have been teaching adults since 1991 - up to 6 classes per week with 10-12 students per class. These classes are for all abilities including beginners. The work I do in class is generally framed up for exhibition. Having moved to Ilfracombe at the end of last year, I am currently in the process of converting a bedroom into a studio". Many thanks Ian for telling us about your work We are sure you will want to see Ian's work in person here at the Ilfracombe Art & Crafts Gallery plus you can find more of Ian's work on Facebook fb: IanHudson - Artist ***************