MOVE over Picasso -- the art world is making room for a Preston artist whose 40-year career is being celebrated in a special exhibition.

During his long career painter David Burrow has held exhibitions throughout the area.

And in a special showing of his art, fans now have the opportunity to view his lifelong works-of-art in a retrospective of his work which is being held in the Howick Fine Arts Gallery throughout October.

David, 56, of Sherburn Road, Penwortham, said: "It is my vocation, I always felt I had to paint. So I went to Preston Arts School which was part of the Harris Institute in 1964.

"After two years I got my diploma, then went to Liverpool University. But I didn't like it there, so I transferred to Exeter College of Art."

David successfully completed a diploma in fine art and painting, and began to study the work of his greatest influence -- the abstract artist Picasso.

He added: "I have been continually influenced by Picasso. After university I began to study cubism, which involves putting angles on objects in your paintings.

"I started a lifelong study of cubism, and I am now combining it with expressionism."

David has sold hundreds of paintings, including two to celebrity Preston chef Paul Heathcote.

"In total I have sold 518 paintings. My best sale was one for £650, called Spanish Organ Grinder."

Paul Tidy, managing director of the Howick Fine Arts Gallery, said: "We have these exhibitions of local artists two or three times a year.

"And we have got 20 or 30 years of work in David's retrospective, so the exhibition is such a good opportunity.

"There is a very good level of support in this town for David's work."

The gallery is free to enter and is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday.