LOCAL artist O'Neal Spence, whose work was first showcased in Evesham and now is viewed internationally, is holding an exhibition in the town entitled Their Movement.

Mr Spence, 43, from bidford, had his work discovered at imaGine, a volunteer-led base in the market square for a number of community and voluntary activities.

He is a qualified designer and mural artist, specialising in hand-painted murals for interiors. He studied illustration at Hereford Art College and then graphic design at Stoke-on-Trent University.

He is currently exhibiting a collection of pieces there inspired by the magical mysteries of toys coming alive at night and how they have adventures whilst everyone is sleeping. Starting with a series of splashes and drops onto newsprint built up with layers and layers of paint the scenes slowly emerge.

A common thread runs through his art where school is depicted by the uniform and red shoes. The observer will always find a loving embrace between his characters somewhere in the picture. Although the paintings often take on a dark side Mr Spence also likes to paint in hope, beauty and love. He sees this as showing the two sides of life - happy and sad as he says he always find himself somewhere between these two emotions.

"I’ve always been creative. I was constantly sitting in the corner drawing. My work is complex; my characters develop personalities and emotions becoming apparent to me as I am developing them."

The exhibition runs until September 23.