Once again Royston & District Museum & Art Gallery is helping to promote the work of local artists, and this summer is showcasing the paintings of Vivienne Machell.

Expect to see atmospheric portraits and vibrant scenes along with the occasional glimpse of Henry the dog, who is featured doing what he enjoys doing best – stalking on the Heath or running on the beach with his fellow pointers.

Inspiration comes during walks on the Heath and on holiday, and old family photographs are often sourced for her portraits.

Her work is tonal and realistic, with colour employed to great effect.

Most of the paintings are acrylic but Vivienne also works in oil, pastel, watercolour and silk, and she sells her paintings, along with a selection of prints and cards

Vivienne said: “I am so grateful for this opportunity to have my first solo exhibition at such a lively and interesting venue.”

Trained in fashion and textile design, Vivienne previously painted on silk and exhibited her silk scarves and ties in local galleries including Wimpole Hall.

She now concentrates on painting and exhibits her work Curwens Gallery in Royston High Street, Royston Art Society, Cambridge District Art Circle and the prestigious Cambridge Drawing Society.

The Faces, Places and Henry exhibition starts with a ‘meet the artist’ preview evening from 7.30pm until 9pm on Friday, July 22, and will run until September 17, every Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Admission is free.

There’s plenty of other events going on at the museum, on Saturday, July 2, between 10.30am and 1pm, when a new publication of letters and interviews from Royston men who served in the First World War will be launched.

Royston’s Call to Arms was compiled by Yolanda Hayes of What Royston Did, in conjunction with Royston & District Local History Society.

To find out more about what’s going on at Royston & District Museum & Art Gallery, visit the website at www.roystonmuseum.org.uk.