POPULAR artist Doug Eaton has helped a Monmouth charity shop by donating his original painting of a view of Symonds Yat to Oxfam.

The painting is the traditional view from the top of Yat Rock looking over the River Wye below, it is one of Mr Eaton’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 local painter donated the original piece to the shop after being contacted by Oxfam volunteer Marc, who was enquiring over the price of a print of the same picture, which had been donated.

As a result, Mr Eaton said he still had the original and would be happy to donate it to the shop instead!

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.

Mr Eaton added: “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 Mr Eaton’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.