Iranian born artist Pari Farshi is back in town with another exhibition of her oils and watercolours at the Edinburgh Gallery at City Hall.

An international artist who adopted British citizenship and makes her home in London, Mrs. Farshi's talent was recognised in early childhood, and she sold her first painting at age ten. She attended the Art College in Tehran, and continued her studies at the Aberdeen Art School, where she won first prize in its colour competition.

Mrs. Farshi describes her style as "uniquely executed, but greatly influenced by the masters of Impressionism". Her work covers a diverse range of subjects, including portraits, landscapes, flowers and still lifes.

In addition to oils and watercolours, this artist also works in the demanding techniques of coloured enamel on copper because she particularly the rich luminescence of colours produced.

Mrs. Farshi exhibited with Bermuda artist Proctor Martin in a joint show at the Bermuda Society of Arts last year, and the duo are repeating the exercise again this year. Elsewhere, the visiting artist has exhibited in private and public galleries as far apart as Malaysia, Dubai, London and Washington, DC.

In fact, immediately following her exhibition in Bermuda, she will be going to Washington, DC, and other exhibits this year include a private show at Lady Niven House in Kent, and the Mall Galleries (RBA) and Royal Society of Art (ROI).

Co-exhibitor Proctor Martin will be showing a collection of watercolour and acrylic paintings. He is a well-known artist and frequent exhibitor here, who also coaches and undertakes commissions by appointment. A leisure painter throughout his career, Mr. Martin has been a full-time artist painting in various media since 1993.

Primarily working in water colour and mixed water media, he also works in oil and oil pastel. A hallmark of Mr. Martin's paintings is the translation of "the mood of the moment", which aims to speak to a participation with the viewer through the use of various techniques. The artist believes that each painting must contain a little magic made possible by manipulation of the medium.

In addition to enjoying the show, viewers will also be able to do their bit for charity by participating in a silent auction of the paintings until the exhibition closes on June 11.

Mr. Martin has reduced by half the reserve prices shown in the catalogue for his paintings to encourage people to buy them and thus help the Foundation. He sees his talent as a gift, and views the gesture as a way of making it work for others in a humanitarian way.

Fellow artist Mrs. Farshi is also contributing two of her paintings. The Neverland Foundation is a registered charity which helps children born into unfortunate circumstances in Bermuda, such as being born HIV positive or orphaned as a result of AIDS.

The Foundation assists individual cases with whatever is needed to make their lives easier, including taxi transportation to medical appointments, nutritional supplements, counselling, nursery, lessons, school outings and clothing, and more.