Stovell.

Mr. Stovell, who learned to paint with his mouth after a motorcycle accident 16 years ago left him without the use of his arms and legs, produces Christmas cards every year for sale.

This year he has created three distinctly Bermudian Christmas scenes in bright watercolours, featuring gombeys, Bermuda homes and Santa wending his way along South Shore in a horse and carriage.

Mr. Stovell learned to paint using his mouth while recovering from his accident in a physical rehabilitation centre in Canada where he drew caricatures of his roommates.

He says now he paints as often as he can and is learning all the time. This year he departed from oil painting to watercolours.

"I am very pleased with this year's cards,'' said Mr. Stovell. "Every year I try to take a Bermudian theme or incorporate something about Bermuda into the paintings.'' "I want them to have a Bermudian feel,'' he said.

Gombey dancers are a favourite theme of the artist.

"I've always liked the gombeys,'' he said. "When I was younger I wasn't afraid of them like some kids.'' "Now when they pass in the street, it is difficult for me to see them properly from my wheelchair so I do different renditions of what I can remember. Everyone else rushes out to see them and I stay behind and paint them.'' Mr. Stovell said he still finds gombeys fascinating but a challenge to paint.

He works from photographs and a gombey friend shows him different positions.

This year's Christmas cards are dedicated to the late Mr. Joseph Dill, Mr.

Stovell's grandfather who died recently.

The cards cost $12 for a pack of twelve and can be ordered from Mr. Stovell by calling 293-2937.

FESTIVE SPIRIT -- One of a series of Christmas cards by local artist, Mr.

Clyde Stovell, who paints by mouth.