FOR me Jim Curran's mountain paintings evoke spectacular visions of Gandalf and other magical characters, as I imagine Tolkien's timeless travellers traversing the mighty passes and peaks of Middle Earth.

You can almost feel the wind rushing across Storm Gathering on K2 - creating a swirling curtain of snow, which cloaks the fantastical figures of Lord of the Rings.

I'm not sure Jim would agree with my assessment of some of his dramatic panoramas - but there we are.

Mountaineer, writer, documentary maker, and leading light of the extraordinarily, and in my opinion justifiably, popular Kendal Mountain Film Festival, Jim's artistic endeavours are on show in the Brewery Arts Centre's Warehouse Gallery until November 17.

Exhibited alongside his paintings are his drawings, photographs and videos.

The exhibition ties in with this year' s film festival, running from next Thursday (November 14), Friday, and over the weekend at the Brewery, as well as Kendal Leisure Centre and Rheged Discovery Centre, at Penrith.

As well as the usual breathtaking filmic

vistas, the high altitude festival features a host of international lecturers such as Lynn Hill and Tomaz Humar.

For more details of festival events contact the Brewery on 01539-725133; leisure centre on 01539-729702; and Rheged on 01768-868000.