COLLEEN MacMahon is a local artist with a passion for painting animals, nature and architecture.

Her speciality is watercolour and much of her work has a graphic and illustrative quality but she also does commissioned animal portraits which concentrate on realism, painstaking attention to detail and capturing the character of her subjects.

Colleen exhibits her work alongside the paintings of her father Harry. After many years travelling Colleen has re-settled in the West Country.

"My life has always been dominated by my passion for the arts including drama, writing, music and painting," explains Colleen.

"I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by opportunities to indulge all these loves but I find myself becoming increasingly busy with my watercolour painting, particularly commissions.

"I am also writing an illustrated book which, not surprisingly, is animal based. I live with a Patterdale terrier, four hens, five fish and a man.

"My non-commission paintings often have an illustrative quality which reflects my interest in design and graphics whilst my animal portraiture aims for lifelike realism, truly capturing the character of my subjects.

"Many of my paintings are commissioned as unique and special gifts."

The Tacchi-Morris is running a lengthy exhibition of Colleen's work early next year from Thursday, January 7 to Wednesday, February 24.

Called Brief Encounters, viewing is from Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm, plus show nights. Free event. Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, School Road, Taunton.