ADMIRERS of the Newport artist Thomas Rathmell have one last chance to view his works before the pictures are distributed among his family.

Rathmell taught at Newport College of Art and Design from 1947 to 1972, influencing such well-known Welsh painters as John Selway.

Born in Wallasey, Cheshire, in 1912, Rathmell trained at Liverpool School of Art and at London's Royal College of Art. He moved to Newport after the war, becoming head of fine art and vice-principal of the college.

The final exhibition is at Newport's GPF Gallery until September 29.

Gallery owner Janet Martin, who describes Rathmell's work as "nostalgic surrealism" is a long-time fan.

"When I first saw an oil painting of Tom Rathmell's, some 20 years ago, I dreamt of meeting the artist," she said.

"Not only did I meet him, I grew to know him and his family. I also became a very close friend of Tom's daughter, Betty, who died in the autumn of 1994.

"Betty had a dream she shared with me - to exhibit her father's unseen drawings. "With the help of his wife, Lilian, who sadly died last year, and daughter, Celia, this exhibition has been organised and the dreams have become reality."

There are 71 works on display at the gallery. At the end of the exhibition, all unsold works will be distributed among the Rathmell family members.

Rathmell, who works in pencil and paint on a variety of surfaces, exhibited in England and Europe but mainly in south Wales.

He was commissioned to do illustrations for the Radio Times in the 1950s.

In 1969 he painted a commissioned work for the Welsh Office, representing the investiture of the Prince of Wales.

He painted a mural for the Welsh Rugby Union in 1978 as well as portraits for schools, universities, and other bodies.

One of Rathmell's unusual claims to fame is that of being the father-in-law to the late rock satirist, Ian Dury.

Betty Rathmell met Dury at the Royal College of Art. They married and had two children, Baxter and Jemima.

Baxter Dury is continuing the family's musical tradition and has just released a CD, Oscar Brown.

GPF Gallery, 18 George Street, Newport. Tel. 01633 264581.