A TALENTED artist has been displaying her exhibition at a Bournemouth gallery.

Jess Harris said art for her was “like meditation” and her portraits will be on display at Vishuddha Studios in Christchurch Road until early July.

She said: “Creating art, for me, is like meditation. It is the only time I can put aside any mental or emotional activity that might be going on and enter a different world where hours can easily pass without me noticing.

Bournemouth Echo:

“I have always had a pen or brush in my hand since childhood and was fortunate enough to be encouraged in school and at home to pursue my passion.

“Around age fifteen I became fascinated by colour and skin tone and hugely inspired by the work of Lucian Freud.

“I went on to study at the well-known Falmouth School of Art and then completed a degree in illustration at the Arts University Bournemouth.

“My medium of choice is oils and ballpoint pen. I quite enjoy the slightly unforgiving nature of both of these mediums,

“All of my work has its roots in realism, the challenge to accurately depict the person in front of me never ceases to attract me.

“I now work as a commission artist in Bournemouth, painting and drawing people and animals.”

The artwork can be viewed between 1pm and 6pm, Tuesday to Friday and 10am until 2pm on Saturday.