David Graham is seen here wielding a paintbrush and giant palette, indulging his penchant for the picturesque. He travels abroad to bring back images of exotic people and places. Over 100 of his vibrant oil paintings depicting scenes in Spain, Israel, Mor

David Graham is seen here wielding a paintbrush and giant palette, indulging his penchant for the picturesque. He travels abroad to bring back images of exotic people and places. Over 100 of his vibrant oil paintings depicting scenes in Spain, Israel, Morocco, Italy, France and Holland are on display at Lauderdale House in Highgate until next Sunday.

Born in London in 1926, Graham served in the Grenadier Guards and the Royal Army Education Corps in the War. He had a distinguished career as a teacher, latterly at Sir John Cass where he became Head of School in 1969, and has been a full-time painter since 1976. This photograph suggests he relishes the romantic aspects of a traditional artist's role.

o The same could be said of Richard Robbins, also an octogenarian and former academic with an exhibition in Highgate - until next Saturday. He taught at Hornsey School of Art/ Middlesex University from 1960 to his retirement in 1993. As he says in the catalogue for Colour, Nature and Rhythm at Highgate Fine Art, "While I have not attracted attention from the art establishment, I do seem to have engaged the interest of a growing number of people."

HFA gallerist Noel Oddy is an enthusiastic advocate of Robbins' art. He says "His thoughtful exploration of colour, rhythm and nature presents us with mesmerising interpretations of flowers, shrubs and roadside weeds, masterfully applied to canvas in his unique and inimitable style."

Lauderdale House in Waterlow Park on Highgate Hill, N6, opens Tuesday to Friday 11am to 4pm and Sunday noon to 5pm. Highgate Fine Art at 26 Highgate High Street N6 opens Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 6pm.