Christopher Marson is no stranger to Bermuda's art scene, but when his exhibition, under the Artists Up Front...Street series, opens at the Masterworks Gallery on Bermuda House Lane on Friday it will be his first solo show in three years.

"I will be showing 20 new watercolours, and my focus, as always, is on atmosphere and light on the landscape, and most of the work has the sea in it somewhere," he says. "All of the paintings were done on location with a full easel set-up for the larger ones, and a portable set of paints, which I carry around with me most of the time, used for the smaller works."

Mr. Marson has been painting watercolours for 15 years, but still considers it "a learning and exploring exercise".

"I look for the big shapes and value patterns in my paintings, often working wet on with with large brushes," he says. "I am more interested in evoking mood than in describing every detail, using a few calligraphic strokes to suggest only the necessary details to bring the painting to life."

Normally a solitary artist, Mr. Marson has recently enjoyed painting with the plein air group from the Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard. He takes, and has given workshops, and his work has earned him various accolades and admiration both in the local art community and abroad.

Visiting artist Mel Stabin included one of his paintings in his book, 'Watercolour, Simple, Fast and Focused', and he was the resident artist for Bermuda's booth at last year's RIMS convention in New Orleans. He has twice been the featured artist at Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard exhibitions, and has painted watercolour calendars for the Windjammer Gallery and BF&M, as well as participating in numerous juried shows.

Mr. Marson's exhibition will continue through May 8. For further information see the Bermuda Calendar.