JACQUI Woolley had never studied art nor had she made huge attempts to try her hand at it.

So when she won the audience choice award for her submission to the Grand Art Festival last year and was subsequently invited to participate in Masterworks' Artists Up Front . . . Street series, it came as something of a surprise.

"I did art in high school but I've done nothing since then," explained the 36 year old. "I've had no formal training. Whatever I've learned has all been self-taught."

For two weeks beginning next Friday, however, 20 pieces of Ms Woolley's art will hang in Masterworks' Front Street gallery ? one of many exhibits held each year as part of a series dedicated to helping artists gain experience in marketing their product.

"I began (painting) for myself and people started asking me to do pieces as wedding presents; as presents for their homes," she said. "But I've never done anything like this before. It's nerve-wracking and really quite scary especially when I've seen what other artists have done, but I'm really looking forward to it."

A computer programmer by day, Ms Woolley said her exhibition was the product of eight months' work. She used acrylics and oil pastels to recreate scenes she found inspiring in Bermuda and abroad.

"My favourite artists and influences would have to be the Old Masters, Van Gogh and Monet, for their adventurous use of colour and techniques in capturing light," she said. "More recently I have been learning techniques by an American artist, Dan McCaw, and I plan to continue my self-study to learn as much I can about painting in light while cramming as much colour into my works as I can. Colour is my passion.

"My preferred medium is acrylics because the colours are so vivid. I also enjoy working in oil pastels when space and clean-up is limited like when I am travelling. I love to paint or draw images from different countries when I travel. I have been especially influenced by the magic of the colours in the Bermuda sea and the houses.

"Mexico is another big influence as the people there are definitely not timid about using colour in their everyday environments. While there is no particular theme to my show there are mostly images of Bermuda such as Daniel's Head, buildings from Front Street, an old house in Southampton, High-Point, and some interesting milestones from the Railway Trail.

"In addition to the Bermuda images I have scenes from recent travels to Canada, New York, Munich and Mexico."

With the accomplishment of creating her first body of work behind her, the New Zealand native is already looking to future possibilities: "I think I will keep working at my art once the show is over. I have really enjoyed it.

"There is a huge pressure to produce the work but I want to learn more about colour and light. I don't think there is any time when I won't want to be doing something."

q Masterworks' Grand Art Festival in conjunction with the Bank of Butterfield takes place this Sunday at the Arrowroot Factory in the Botanical Gardens between noon and 5 p.m., featuring art activities for all ages, alfresco dining and live entertainment. For more information, telephone 298-4615.

q Ms Woolley's exhibit opens on May 28 at Masterworks Bermuda House Lane gallery, located at 97 Front Street. The show continues for two weeks, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. For more information, telephone 295-5580.