A watercolour artist, whose style has been heavily influenced by Bermuda, will have her work showcased this weekend in her first one-woman show.

The Watercolours of Laura Elgey will be exhibited this weekend at the one-woman show at the Bermuda Society of Arts in the Edinburgh Gallery, City Hall.

For the last five years Ms Elgey, by permission from the Immigration Department, has been painting on location in Bermuda. She was captivated by the Island's beauty on her first visit in 1991 and as a result of her numerous visits, her artistic style has been heavily influenced by the local colours and unique light.

The 40 watercolour paintings for her upcoming show include Bermuda florals and landscape, Gombey dancers and still life.

Ms Elgey said: "After four or five years of painting in Bermuda I wanted to push myself and have a show. It has really pushed me and moved me to another level.'' She added that the show, which features a variety of styles, gave her incentive to produce more serious work than she had done in the past.

"My objective was to have the paintings entice the audience from across the room,'' Ms Elgey said. "I didn't want any ho-hum pictures. I'm fussy about what I want to display.'' And her most recent line of prints, which were published this summer, and her originals are currently displayed at stores around the Island including the Windjammer Gallery in Hamilton and at the Arts Centre in Dockyard.

Aside from prints, Ms Elgey has worked on Tee-shirt designs, post cards and is presently working on a design for dinnerware for a local company.

Raised by a family of artists, Ms Elgey painted as a hobby from an early age.

It was not until she moved from England to Indianapolis in 1989 that she began painting full-time.

Ms Elgey's work has been exhibited at juried shows and galleries in Indianapolis and she has studied in the workshops of Jeanne Dobie and Marilyn Hughey Phillis.

Her most recent was the Spring Show at the Frances Iies Gallery in Rochester, England. And her work -- a floral wreath -- was also selected for greeting card design by Medici Cards, England.

The Bermuda Junior Service League will also use her work for their 1996 Christmas cards. The design Ms Elgey donated shows Christmas shoppers along a festively decorated Front Street.

The cards will be available at local stores around the Island.

The Watercolours of Laura Elgey will be on display at the Bermuda Society of Arts from September 21 to October 11.

LORDS OF THE DANCE -- Artist Laura Elgey captures the whirling colour and excitement of the traditional Bermuda Gombeys.