An exhibit of work featuring an unusual medium for Chris Marson opens in the Elliot Gallery at the Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation tonight.

Known for his watercolour paintings, and more recently his work with oils, the artist has used acrylics for this latest display,

According to Mr. Marson, the change came after a trip to Canada.

"Two years ago I was reintroduced to acrylics by artists on the West Coast of Canada, and found that the paint qualities had changed considerably since my early days with the medium.

"The new acrylics allowed me to combine the transparent layering of watercolour with build up of heavy layers typical of oil painting, and yet still work quickly and freely in the manner most typical of my watercolours."

Acrylics allow him to control the drying time so that he can layer without picking up underlying colour, or paint wet, with subtle blending, all in the same painting, he explained.

The result will be seen in tonight's exhibit, comprised of 40 pieces ranging in size from 4" x 6" to 2' x 3'.

He added: "The paintings are primarily done on location and show something of the pleasure that I receive from being out and trying to interpret the world around us."

For more information on the artist see www.chrismarson.com.