AN artist with a passion for oils has just enjoyed showing her pictures for the first time in Andover.

"I have always loved painting with a passion. I would find it difficult to live without it," Leonie Warwick, who is self- taught, said.

"I also love using oils. You can manipulate and play to your heart's content with oils; with water colours I feel you have to be exact."

Her exhibition, which was hung in Andover library, featured many portraits.

One, of a Kosovan boy with downcast expression, standing in front of a burning house from which his family was fleeing, made spectators stand and stare.

"I think I particulary excel in portraiture," the artist added.