Back to Earth -- currently on show in the Small Gallery at the Bermuda Society of Arts in City Hall is an exhibition of Earth Paintings by Dr. Charles Zuill.

His recent, rather abstract work reflects his interest in nature and, he says, is rooted in his own background.

"My father was a farmer and, before him, his father and grandfather had farmed the same land in Smith's Parish.'' In those days, he says, everyone stayed in their own communities, which in his case, was around the Flatts Village area.

"Life was close to the land and sea and my twin brother and I were given responsibilities on the farm from an early age.'' Dr. Zuill remembers that, even as a child, he wanted to become an artist, a feeling that became even stronger as he began studies in the US towards a degree in biology. His parents supported his ultimate decision to switch to a formal art programme, however, "although I don't think my parents were particularly thrilled with the idea''.

Now a senior lecturer in fine arts at the Bermuda College, Dr. Zuill says he is increasingly concerned about the destruction of Bermuda's natural environment: "Because of this, I have been experimenting for some time now in producing mixed media pictures worked in acrylics, earth and sand.

The exhibition runs through Saturday, November 17.

NATURAL BLEND -- Artist/lecturer Dr. Charles Zuill stands with one of his creations -- Brackish Pond -- featured in his Back to Earth show in the Society of Arts Small Gallery, City Hall, Hamilton.