A WORCESTER-based artist has unveiled her first solo show in Birmingham which includes portraits of city people from all walks of life.

Francesca Currie's work is now on display at the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists (RBSA) for her debut show,‘A Study in True Representation’.

The exhibition, which includes oil portraits and still life paintings completed by Miss Currie over the past year, opened on Monday (July 3) and will run until Saturday, August 26.

The 27-year-old who painted the official portrait of the Bishop of Worcester will also be giving two painting demonstrations on Saturday, August 5 between 11am and 1pm and again between 2pm and 4pm.

The RBSA is open 10.30am to 5pm on Monday to Saturday, 1pm to 5pm on Sunday.

All of the portraits are of people from Worcester or Worcestershire, including a bartender from Heroes in Friar Street, a Droitwich lawyer, a great grandmother and a coffee shop owner from Worcester's House of Coffee.

There are 11 pieces in the exhibition in total.

Miss Currie who lives in Worcester city centre and is art workshop leader at Maggs Day Centre based in Deansway aims to combine the traditional techniques of the Old Masters with a contemporary viewpoint to create classically representational oil paintings with a modern twist.

She hopes the effect is to create a ‘true representation’ of the subject, not only in appearance but also in character.

Miss Currie studied painting at Norwich University College of the Arts and trained further at London Atelier Representational Art.

She then moved home to Worcestershire to pursue a career as an artist full-time two years ago. Since the move, she has gained the representation of two galleries, had many private commissions and most recently painted the official portrait of the Bishop of Worcester.

Miss Curie: ‘I am delighted to have my first solo show. The RBSA has a long heritage of nurturing art from Birmingham and the surrounding area.

"It is great to be part of the Society, and I am grateful of their support in hosting this show. I hope people enjoy the work on display as much as I enjoyed putting it together."

Robert Neil, President of the RBSA and fellow artist said before the opening: "We’re looking forward to showcasing Francesca’s fantastic paintings at the RBSA Gallery. Her work is thoughtful and beautifully executed."

Miss Currie was elected and associate of the RBSA in April after her work was spotted by one of its members at Open Studios Worcestershire last August.

The RBSA is an artist-led charity, which supports artists and promotes engagement with the visual arts through a range of inclusive activities: exhibitions, workshops and demonstrations.

The Society owns and runs its own exhibition venue, the RBSA Gallery, located just off St Paul’s Square, near Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter and a short walk from the city centre.

Admission to all their exhibitions is free.

To donate to the RBSA, please go to http://www.rbsa.org.uk/about-us/how-we-are-funded/