WHEN the wine is in, the words flow out Greek historian Herodotus is purported to have said, but in the case of one Newton Abbot artist it is not words but works of art that has been flowing.

Artist John Skinner has been using wine to create art.

And the artist’s unique approach to watercolour will showcase at an exhibition in Torquay.

‘It is 4,000 pieces , 4,000 paintings of wine, all painted not with water, but with wine - it is totally unique’ John said.

The paintings vary in size, and some feature people John met while on his travels in England and abroad.

Haddon Galleries says it is proud to host John’s ‘unparalleled showcase of artistry’ and that is was ‘honoured’ to be his chosen venue.

Exhibition are nothing new to John, having showcased his work at exhibtion space in London’ Liverpool and Teignmouth, his stomping ground prior to Newton Abbot.

John has previously taken part in Devon Artist Network’s ‘Open Studios’ initiative while exhibiting at Voyage Art Galleries in Teignmouth.

Originally hailing from London, John picked up the paint brush in earnest in his twenties while living in Newcastle.

And in spite of having received no formal training, John soon developed a distinct, some might even say unorthodox, approach to watercolours, including his now trademark use of soluble liquids other than water to create art.

The John Skinner Exhibition opens on Saturday, March 8 and runs until Wednesday, March 12.

‘I will be doing a demonstration on the Saturday for pretty much the whole day’ John said.