October?s busy cycle of art openings includes that of Emma Ingham-Dounouk, upon whose solo exhibition the spotlight falls on Sunday.

The venue is the Lighthouse Tearoom gallery in Southampton, where viewers will find 28 pieces depicting a variety of subjects, including botanical, architectural and scenic. Fans of her inimitable pen and ink drawings of chickens and cockerels will again find something to enjoy.

Otherwise the artist?s chosen media is watercolour pencils, and as always the show will mix whimsy with meticulous attention to detail.

Mrs. Ingham-Dounouk likes to work quickly because of the creative energy such immediacy creates.

?I do ?thumbnails?, but the joy of working immediately is what I try to capture in each finished piece. I don?t want it to be laboured, contrived, or lacking in life,? she says.

Indeed, a favourite quote by Van Gogh is included with her biographical details accompanying the show:?Sometimes there are sheets in a sketchbook which, although they are more or less scribbles, nevertheless have something to say.?

When it comes to flora and fauna, the artist describes her use of colour as ?bold and strong? and says: ?Bermuda?s flora and fauna are about colour ? brilliant greens, vibrant purples and pinks, reds, oranges and yellows that dazzle the eye.?

In terms of her architectural pieces, Mrs. Ingham-Dounouk says: ?There is a sense of romance, in that you gain a tremendous amount of the story behind these subjects by simply working on location. There is a sense of the wild and untamed that I love. I avoid a sense of the contrived and unnatural in all of my work.?

Noting that the presentation of any artist?s work is critical, the artist pays tribute to her framer for his professionalism.

?I owe a lot to Bill Ferguson for his very keen eye. The way your work is presented makes a very strong statement,? she says.

Mrs. Dounouk-Ingham?s creativity takes many forms. A graduate of Parsons School of Design, she is a founder and former committee member of the Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard, and currently shares the Featherbed Studio with another local artist in the St. George?s Historical Society building. She enjoys teaching life drawing, and has exhibited in numerous group shows, as well as being the featured artist in others. In addition to being an artist, she is also an illustrator and communications consultant.

Mrs. Ingham-Dounouk?s exhibition will continue through November 2. For further information ( 297-2468 or e-mail emmajinghamdounoukyahoo.com