WEST Devon artist Bernard Carter is staging a special

exhibition of his work in support of the Children's

Hospice South West and the Museum of Dartmoor Life.

Born in Derby, where he attended the Joseph Wright

School of Art for five years, in the 1970s he moved to

Cornwall where he worked as a botanical artist. He now

lives on the Bere Peninsula.

In 1989, publishers Webb and Bower (of Edwardian

Country Diary fame) commissioned him to produce 378

paintings for the re-creation of a Victorian Birthday Book.

Bernard, who is making a donation to the museum and

hospice from every sale, said: 'It is a pleasure to be

involved in an exhibition on behalf of CHSW and to be

exhibiting for the first time at the museum for Dartmoor

Life.

'The theme for the show is "A Walled Garden" and

encompasses a selection of fruits, flowers and vegetables

from that may have graced both the rooms and the table

of the "The Big House".'

Judy Pride from CHSW said: " This is the second exhibition

Bernard has staged for us and I'm sure that everyone who

comes along will be spellbound by his wonderful

paintings.'

The collection of 20 botanical paintings will be displayed

in the John Young Gallery from August 7 to 21.