AN authentic work of art must start an argument between the artist and his audience. That was the perhaps surprising view of Dame Rebecca West, writer, critic and feminist.

If Dame Rebecca came to Bude she would, I think, detect appreciation, not argument.

Salutes then to the Cornwall Watercolour Society. Fact is this crop of art is a wonderful advertisement for the watercolour movement, demonstrating the diversity of technique, subjects ranging from botanical illustration through to abstraction, 63 exhibits in all.

And the Willoughby Gallery at Bude Castle, dedicated to the memory of Richard Willoughby, a man who championed the refurbishment of the castle, is a splendid platform for the arts in North Cornwall – the gallery and the neighbouring room oozing colour and character.

There are some lovely blues and greens: an exhibition raising our spirits – creative energy flowing through both rooms.

The River Fowey flows too – a sensitive work by Stewart Lowdon of Egloshayle of the magical river at Lanhydrock.

Lowdon, who converted to watercolour after 30 years of oil painting, says: "I paint in essences, pure hues, contained within the colour of the subjects."

John Blight chairman of the Society and director of the Camelford Gallery, offers four paintings: Stiles at Port Gaverne, Gull Rock at Trebarwith and Morwenstowe (the old spelling with an e), an unusual angle of Hawker's majestic church.

And Saul Cathcart proves that so-called "bad weather" can be the subject of good art: Rain & Sea Spray, Great Surf, Harlyn Bay doing just that.

Michael Moss underlines this facet with Sea Mist, Hartland, a watercolour evoking the spirit of Sabine Baring Gould's novel, In The Roar of the Sea.

In complete contrast are the contributions of Jacqueline Jarvis, painter and printmaker of Trevalga near Boscastle. Her work here is part of a bigger sequential ongoing project: art which makes us stop, study and ask questions.

While David Penhale takes us deep back into Cornish history, his studies of Trethevy Quoit, sometimes known as Arthur's Quoit, and the Men-an-Tol down in Penwith, revealing the sculptural qualities in the Cornish landscape.

Little wonder Dame Barbara Hepworth found so much inspiration on her expeditions across our ancient terrain.

Penhale reflects: "My images are born out of my response to the elemental nature of the Cornish landscape."

All the painters have something worthwhile to say: In their different ways ensuring the Society's policy of "promoting watercolour as a serious medium".

Who: Cornwall Watercolour Society

Where: Castle Heritage Centre and Gallery at Bude

When: Runs until October 12. Open daily from 10am to 6pm.

Contact: 01288 357301