The influences to be found in Kew's work are wide-ranging as he draws on old Masters techniques to deliver mythological and religious themes in his own realistic style.

"I've been working a lot, preparing for my next exhibition. I was invited by the Bold Gallery in Galway to exhibit there so I'm very happy with that, " says the Avoca-based artist.

"I'm a people painter. I do quite a lot of nudes and I do realistic-surrealistic paintings. I paint fairly realistically with some surrealism in the paintings."

Although he is a quiet, retiring artist, his work has wonover many fans, has sold in 11 countries and is represented in several corporate collections.

In fact, his paintings have graced most Irish living rooms.

His Black Madonna work was used as a backdrop for the Angelus on RTE a number of years ago and he had a painting depicting the futility of the Troubles in Northern Ireland, featured on the Time Out programme.

Kew, who moved to Ireland 20 years ago after a stint in Canada, is an Irish citizen and considers himself Irish. Though not particularly religious himself, he returns time and again to religious themes in his work.

"I like the subject matter that religion presents, like Susanna and the Elders, the story from the bible about elders who spy on Susanna who is bathing. I've always liked that sort of theme and I've painted it at least half a dozen times, " he says.

Next month's exhibition promises to be vintage Kew and will present an opportunity to explore the latest work from this unique artist.

"I've always stayed within my style. I don't vary too much in my style or technique, although the subjects in this show will be quite varied from nudes through to mythological themes and straightforward portraiture as well, " he says.

"I've titled it 'This & That' because it really is going to be this and that in the show. In this exhibition I hope that each time a person steps from one painting to the next they are going to get a change of image so they will be stimulated one way or another."

For more information on the exhibition and a chance to see some of Kew's earlier works visit www. boldartgallery. com