Since Kurt’s first set of paintings went on show two years ago, he has journeyed to Bristol, through the spectacular Avon gorge – a view which has been admired and painted for generations – to the sea.

From lush green meadows to city wharves and the busy M5 Avon bridge sounds very much like a journey of two distinct halves.

"It certainly was," agreed Kurt.

"The first part was very tranquil, green, beautiful, quiet, English. But when the Avon gets tidal it’s a different matter altogether – still striking in parts but also man-made, modern, muddy and noisy.

"I don’t often paint in the middle of cities – I am far more at home in the countryside.

"In Bristol I chose to follow the Floating Harbour rather than the river itself.

"I enjoyed all the different craft, and the history of the place.

"I still remember the scene from Temple Bridge, with the other bridges, the river traffic, churches and buildings ranging from modern office blocks to Victorian warehouses.

"And I remember that at one point in the city, on the opposite bank, two men were drilling in a warehouse conversion, next to me a chap caught a massive fish, and down on the water two drunks were having fun on a boat.

"I can well imagine why people who knew the harbour half a century ago have fond memories.

"On the other hand, we know that the Bristol slave trade centred around those docks, and we have to remember these things as well. Working down from the city centre, I painted the ss Great Britain plus of course the suspension bridge."

But how do you do that in a way it hasn’t been done a thousand times before? "In my case" says Kurt.

" I stayed at the Avon Gorge Hotel and painted it at night.

"I paid no attention to anything that had been done before.

" Avonmouth was different – I took photographs, printed them on canvas and then painted over them with oils.

"I felt it was a scene that demanded a different response, but so did the working conditions.

"I was not allowed into the docks, so I found myself up on the cycle path of the M5 bridge, looking down on the scene.

"I’ve never worked in conditions like that before, with the road noise and fumes. It’s not my favourite part of the river."

Kurt Jackson’s paintings are on show at the Victoria Art Gallery, Pulteney Bridge, Bath until October 4.

The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm, and Sundays 1.30pm to 5pm.

Admission is free.