Real flowers fade and wither but a new exhibition of small and beautifully-formed |paintings taking love, warmth and delicacy as their theme could provide the perfect |ever-lasting romantic gesture for Valentine’s Day.

The Art of Romance show at Falmouth’s Beside the Wave gallery from February 7 |features still lives by Anne-Marie Butlin and intimate |interiors by leading |contemporary impressionist Sarah Wimperis.

“We thought it would be fun to inject this dark time of year with some little bursts of colour and joy which can’t fail to touch the romantic soul,” says Beside the Wave’s Ingrid Heseltine.

“Chocolates, perfume and flowers on Valentine’s Day are all very well, but these little paintings will be a delight forever.”

Beside the Wave has brought together two artists whose work reflects the wish that life should be filled with love – that love makes the world go round and comes in many guises.

Anne-Marie Butlin’s famous still lives are |distinctive for their powerful strength in both draughtsmanship and handling of the paint, with flowers set in perfectly |rendered vessels or luscious fruits against backgrounds of pattern, fabric, paper or tiles.

Sarah Wimperis’s work records the day to day fabric of life, evoking memories of place or time sometimes long-buried and half-forgotten. Handling paint with passion and dexterity she creates works that hint at stories waiting to be discovered.

Accompanying the exhibition of paintings is a selection of artist-made jewellery and ceramics.

The exhibition runs until February 19. See www.beside-the-wave.co.uk