Exhibitions of Chris Marson?s paintings are like manna in the wilderness: always welcome, always savoured ? but not a frequent feast.

That will change on Sunday, however, when the popular professional artist mounts a long-awaited exhibition at Bermuda?s newest ?gallery? ? the walls of the Lighthouse Tearoom in Southampton.

The event will mark a series of ?firsts? for Mr. Marson. ?This will be my first solo show since my Masterworks show in 2003; my first solo show since I stopped being a graphic designer and became a full time artist in the Spring of 2004; and my first show in the new venue at the lighthouse,? he says.

As an artist who once painted exclusively in watercolours, Mr. Marson has built up a devoted following, for whom his distinctive style and execution usually results in a healthy dose of red (sold) stickers whenever his works are shown.

Certainly, Sunday?s opening promises to be another of those special events for, while watercolours will be the exclusive medium of choice, influences from the artist?s recent ventures into oil painting will be incorporated into his latest body of work.

?I am showing 20 new pieces ? all of them Bermuda scenes done within the last six months, and ranging from small paintings to half sheet size,? he says. ?The paintings have all been done on location, some with the Plein Airgroup.

?I have also been working in oils this past year, and some of the things I am learning with oils, mostly about using darks, are, I believe, adding strength to my watercolour work. Being able to paint every day has also been beneficial.?

The Bermudian artist, who received his degree in Fine Arts in Canada in 1971, subsequently worked as a graphic designer both there and in Bermuda before taking up painting again upon his return to the Island.

In the ensuing years he has won numerous awards for his work, which has been well received in both group and solo exhibitions.

For the past 18 years Mr. Marson has worked mostly in watercolour, and says he ?paints quickly and directly on location, enjoying the transparency, immediacy and unpredictability of the medium?.

An enthusiastic member, and sometime leader, of the local Plein Air group, the artist has also been teaching watercolour workshops for several years now, in addition to attending others with well-known artists.

Married to Marlene Jantzen, a teacher and fellow artist, he is the father of one daughter, Candace, whom he describes as ?one of my most perceptive critics?.

Indeed, it seems input into his paintings is something of a family affair.

?I also have a dog and a cat who have been known to ?help? by lying on my palette,? he smiles.

Sine 1966, Mr. Marson has been a successful participant in solo, group and special exhibitions, both here and abroad.

The list of local galleries at which he has shown includes Masterworks, the Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard, the Bermuda National Gallery, the Bermuda Society of Arts (City Hall and former Harbour galleries), Heritage House, and Windjammer.

In England, his work has been shown at the Royal Society of British Artists Mall Gallery in London.

Among the many awards and highlights of his career are the following:

Bermuda Society of Arts: 1987 Certificate of Commendation for Portrait Drawing; Jurors? Choice, Spring show, 1994; first featured artist at Harbour Gallery opening; works included in the Society?s Permanent Collection and featured in its fine art card series.

The Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard: 1994 Art Festival poster; 2000 calendar; and featured artist in 1997, 2002 and 2004.

Bermuda National Gallery: Inclusion in 1996 and 1998 Biennials.

Masterworks Foundation: Inclusion in its Permanent Collection.

Mr. Marson?s paintings have also been ? and continue to be ? sought after by corporate bodies, including Bermuda Fire & Marine, Fidelity, IPC Re, and the Fairmont Hamilton Princess hotel, where they have been hung in their buildings, commissioned for calendars and more.

Most recently, he has been doing a lot of painting in the Tucker?s Town area in relation to the Tucker?s Point Development and golf club.

Both the Premier in 1994 and the Governor in 2003 commissioned his work for their Christmas cards.

The artist has also been featured in ?Watercolour, Simple and Fast? by Mel Stabin.

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