Malcolm Ludvigsen takes journey through the seasons in debut Village Gallery exhibition

"It's also York's most central gallery being within spitting distance of Whip-Ma-Whap-Ma-Gate and Shambles," says the York oil painter and mathematics professor. "The show is called Seasons and consists of my plein-air oil paintings done in all four seasons on the year, including the chill of winter.

On view until February 24 are landscapes and seascapes painted by Malcolm mostly near York, especially on the banks of the Ouse, out in the Wolds or at the seaside, particularly Scarborough, Filey and Bridlington.

Walmgate Stray Painted During The Last Real Winter, by Malcolm Ludvigsen

"I'm particularly pleased to be exhibiting in a proper gallery because there are so few of them left, and it's even worse elsewhere: until recently there were two galleries in Malton and now there are none," he says.

Like most other painters, Malcolm now relies on studio visits, especially during York Open Studios, and in particular the internet. "This has the great advantage of allowing me to show my work all over the world, which until recently would have been impossible," he says.

"Indeed, most of my customers these days are in the United States and Canada, but the great drawback of buying paintings online is that you can't see them in the flesh first, and this can lead to disappointment. A bit like a traditional marriage, I suppose.

Scarborough, by Malcolm Ludvigsen

"For example, I recently had a painting returned all the way from Canada because the buyer found small insects and grains of sand stuck to the canvas! What on earth did he expect of a picture painted on a beach in the open air? I recommended that in future he should stick to nice clean prints.

"On the other hand, I've had paintings bought because small insects and grains of sand are stuck to the canvas. What people sometimes forget is that an oil painting is an organic, tactile and visceral thing where brush strokes and the odd fly are an important part of it."

Oil paint never really dries, it just becomes harder, points out Malcolm. "I read somewhere about a 400-year-old painting that still showed signs of drying," he says. "An oil painting is an ever-changing thing! That's why I'm pleased to be exhibiting in a proper gallery where people can come and see, and feel, my paintings in the flesh."

Beningbrough, by Malcolm Ludvigsen

Ludvigsen's exhibition will have a preview evening from 5pm to 8pm next Monday.

Also for sale at Simon Main's gallery is the batik work of York artist Rebecca Mason, including scarves, ties, brooches and pictures; turned wood bowls and vases by young Holmfirth artist Ralph Shuttleworth; limited-edition bronze sculptures by Edward Waites and  limited-edition prints by illustrator Frank Vernon Martin (1921-2005).

The gallery has permanent and extensive stocks of work by Lalique and Royal Crown Derby too.