Barnet artist Renos Lavithis has put on a new mini-exhibition of paintings depicting local scenes.

The colourful series of paintings and drawings are inspired by the artists’ time living in Hertfordshire.

However, the exhibition also features a selection of Renos' general pieces, including picturesque sea scapes, flowers and boats.

The collection is on display in Coffee Seeker, in North Finchley, and was recently visited by Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet.

"The cosy environment of Coffee Seeker is the ideal venue for this mini-exhibition," says Renos, who works with local art societies such as the Barnet Collection. “I’m very pleased with it.”

Many of Renos’ drawings are created using pen and Indian ink with a touch of pencil work and a watercolour wash. A picture can take him up to 30 hours to complete, depending on the level of detail.

Before taking early retirement, Cyprus-born Renos worked as a graphic artist for the Daily Mail for 30 years.

Since leaving work, he revisited his old Fleet Street haunts and painted all the pubs the journalists used to visit, before moving on to capture all the major landmarks of London.

When he’s not painting local scenes, Renos is inspired by idyllic scenes of the Mediterranean and Aegean sea which he remembers from his childhood.

Later this year, Renos, who has lived in Barnet for 28 years, hopes to publish a book of his work, which includes more than 120 images of London.

An exhibition of Paintings and Drawings, Coffee Seeker, Ballards Lane, North Finchley, until July 10, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm and Saturday, 8am to 4.30pm. Details: 020 8449 5938, renosart.co.uk