THE oils of internationally-acclaimed artist Richard Reminger continue Masterworks' Artists Up Front . . . Street series this week.

The artist's works have been praised highly in the United States and Europe, where his style has been favourably compared with the likes of Winslow Homer, Camille Piffarno and Edward Hopper.

It will mark the first time that the American, who has a painting on permanent display in the Masterworks Gallery, will hold an exhibition on the island.

"I was a corporate lawyer, working out of Cleveland, Ohio," he explained, "and was introduced to the world of art in 1960 while vacationing on the Isle of Monhegan in Maine - an artists' colony that has housed many famous artists.

"From that point, I began religiously taking lessons and have been painting for the last 40-odd years. I'm now a full-time artist and have exhibited widely in the US, Europe and now Bermuda."

Appreciation for his paintings led to memberships in several renowned organisations including the Oil Painters of America, the International Society of Marine Painters and the Salmagundi Club in New York City. A chance meeting with Masterworks director Tom Butterfield while vacationing in Bermuda however, led to an opportunity to expand his audience.

"Tom was startled to find I was an artist and said he would like to have their committee look at my art. So I gave them a painting which they have on permanent exhibit. Tom asked if I was interested in having a solo exhibit of my work in Bermuda and now, finally, we're doing it."

A representational painter well known for his Maine seascapes, most of the paintings Mr. Reminger plans to exhibit as part of the Up Front . . . Street series are of Bermuda scenes.

"Instead of my traditional Maine seascapes, most of my paintings (for this show) are of Bermuda," he said.

"My style is very strong; it's very dramatic. There are strong lights and darks; they're more power paintings. I enjoy exhibiting my paintings and I enjoy Bermuda - it's the third or fourth time I've been here - so why not mix the two together?"

The Oil Paintings of Richard T. Reminger are on exhibit at Masterworks' gallery at 97 Front Street, April 12 through 24.