AN EXHIBITION of botanical painting can be viewed in a Dorchester museum.

Members of Martinstown Botanical Art Group are displaying their works at the Tea Room of Dorset County Museum in Dorchester.

Subject matter of the painting varies and includes flowers, plantlife, fruit, vegetables, also butterflies, birds and, occasionally, animals. Works are mainly in watercolour, gouache or coloured pencil.

Spokesman Mary Cantrille said: "Botanical painting is precise and absorbing, a source of great satisfaction when we do it well.

"Martinstown Botanical Art Group has been running for about 9 years and exists to nurture and encourage botanical art in amateur artists who love this genre.

"We currently have 15 members and we meet once a week for three hours during term time.

"We all choose and bring our own subjects to paint and we have a regular tutor who provides personal encouragement and advice, with demonstrations of technique.

"Our current tutors are Simon Williams SBA, a nationally known illustrator and botanical artist, and Pauline Trim AssocSBA, who joins us when Simon has commitments elsewhere.

"Members of the group are all enthusiastic amateurs who all love painting and learning. There is a lot of talent in the group. Some of us sell our work or take commissions, others choose not to."

The group is also keen to hear from any new members who wish to join them. They can be contacted by calling 01305 753876.

*Botanical Art by Martinstown Botanical Art Group, Dorset County Museum, Dorchester, free to view during museum opening hours until September 9.