HIDING From Myself puts the work of artist Tim Leeson in the spotlight.

An impressive showing of collage and mixed media, Tim's retrospective runs at Peter Blaskett's Signature Gallery until May 19.

The exhibition charts the last ten years of a short yet prolific art career for Tim.

"Its great to be back at Signature Gallery where the journey began in 2008 after Peter visited me on Kentmere ward at Westmorland General Hospital and gave me the opportunity to have my first exhibition," explains Tim.

"The work is a mix of abstract and representational executed in drawings, paintings and mixed media works.

"It charts my journey of using art as therapy for a method of dealing with long term health problems.

"There is a mix of old and new work and my latest painting is a huge semi abstract Scout Scar piece. The irony is that Kendal influences are still prevalent in my work even though I'm now based in Ulverston.

"My retrospective is a celebration of life, the low moods and the high points equally valid as a recovery resource.

"I would like to inspire people. People that may also suffer from mental health problems and physical difficulties to give it a go. I believe it really helps."

Tim's work is symbolic, sentimental as well as an exercise in composition and perspective but most importantly it is the play of light on surfaces and how it affects form that he feels brings his work alive.

From pastel drawings to abstracts, paintings in a loose Cubist style to still life, Tim - who set-up South Lakes Arts Collective when he moved from Kendal to Ulverston in 2016 - is one of the region's most versatile and expressive artists.

The Kendal exhibition follows on from a busy 2017 for Tim, which included a joint exhibition with Tina Balmer - four years since their first creative pairing in 2013 - plus an important group show with his South Lakes Arts Collective within Barrow's Dock Museum.

Signature Gallery is located at 16 Kirkland, Kendal.

Open Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm; Thursday, 10am-2pm.

For further information telephone 01539-730260.