THE exhilaration and adventure of teaching art, especially to bright students in a creative environment, is captured in the latest exhibition at the Zillah Bell Gallery in Kirkgate, Thirsk.

It is a fascinating and varied exhibition with some very saleable pictures. The artist, Ian Burke, has taken the motto of Redcar, where he was born, By Iron and Sea, to show his students at Eton College how to develop a theme in different media.

"First and foremost I am a teacher, and in the holidays I am an enthusiastic amateur artist," he explained. "I have been at Eton for four years and I did this exhibition to try and show the boys how I approach my ideas."

The core of the exhibition is his love for the North Yorkshire coast and moors between Whitby and Teesside - which he describes as "one of the most beautiful parts of the world" - and of sea fishing.

From this he combines working drawings of Staithes, subtle pastels and colourful watercolours with almost brazen, but very effective oils. A bright acrylic lobster reappears in busy linocut prints and fish are lined up to make interesting patterns, more akin to graphic art.

One of his finest oils is of tractors on Redcar beach in which he captures the strong character of these old machines with some bold brush work.

His exploration of various media does not stop there, for in a back room is an amazing mixture from slate carvings to stained glass and even a rug.

The stained glass has been produced for him by Alan Davis of Lythe, near Whitby, but he had to go to landlocked Nepal to have his "sea rug" woven.

It is as if the move to Eton College has revitalised his own artistic enjoyment. He has taught in inner city comprehensives but explained that, at 50, he no longer wanted to do battle any more when he entered a classroom.

"The move to Eton College has been really exciting. You have fantastic facilities and a fantastic budget and you are working with really bright lads who want to learn," he said.

He also likes the fact he can spend his holidays back home in the North York Moors while during term he can explore the fascinating architecture in and around London.

The exhibition continues until the end of the month.

Pip Land