Local Artist, Doug Eaton, has kindly donated his original painting of a view of Symonds Yat to Oxfam in Monmouth.

The painting is the traditional view from the top of Yat Rock looking over the River Wye below, it is one of Doug’s earlier paintings, as he now subscribes to an abstract format for his colourful works based mostly on landscapes and in particular the landscape of the Forest of Dean.

The reason Doug donated the picture to Oxfam Monmouth was because a print of the same picture was donated to the shop and one of our fantastic volunteers, Marc, contacted Doug to ask about potential value. As a result Doug said he still had the original and would be happy to donate it to the shop!

Oxfam Shop Manager, Carol Jones, said: “We are delighted with this wonderful gesture, as a personal fan of Doug’s work for many years, I was thrilled to accept his very kind offer, and the painting was duly delivered within days. We already have a local hotel very interested in purchasing the picture, which we have priced at £100, if anyone is interested in the print it is on sale for £40”, she added.

Doug Eaton grew up in Coleford, Forest of Dean. After traditional grammar school education he went on to Stroud School of Art and then Cheltenham College of Art in the late sixties. He started to paint full time in 1977 but business soon took a more graphic stance and remained so until 2001. During that early period he exhibited at the Royal West of England, Cheltenham Group of Artists, Pastel Society, as part of a four man show at Hereford Museum and many local exhibitions. In 2001 he decided to paint more and take another look at what was around. He has work in many private collections in the UK and abroad; also has work on show in the USA and Canada.

Doug says: “I think I’ve always been interested in what paint does and hopefully have applied it in as many different ways as my imagination will allow. I have always been aware of a "painterly look" over and above a clinical rendition of anything. I don’t mind the odd dribble here or there if only to remind the onlooker that it is paint at the end of the day”.

One of Doug’s paintings was selected for the Royal College of Art London Summer Exhibition back in 2004 and he has exhibited as many exhibitions local and national over the years. The local ‘Creates Gallery’ in Monmouth has some of his work on display. Through Doug’s website dougeaton.co.uk you can see examples of his work and by this year’s calendar featuring his work and some beautiful Christmas Cards.