Local artist Mike Blume will exhibit his paintings in the Portage and District Arts Centre's Boardroom Gallery.

Blume says he took a class with Lee Beaton at the PDAC exactly one year ago to help with faces, and it paid off. He explains what sort of work is on display.

"High-realism of people's faces," says Blume. "Most of them are celebrities and it was always a challenge for me to do a face. Especially celebrities because everyone knows what they look like, and if you do it off, everyone can see it. So that always made it a challenge to me, and that's why I called it 'Signatures' because everyone's face is unique to them like your signature, but this is visual."

Blume says one of his favourites on display is his painting of William Shatner which he had signed by Shatner himself last summer. He's excited about his first showing and encourages you to stop in.

"I really enjoy drawing, and it's relaxing. Plus you get such a sense of accomplishment when you're done. You look at it and say 'I like that' when you're doing something you don't really get or is frustrating you won't bother with it, but when you find something you can do and people will compliment you on it as well you get this feeling of accomplishment. I don't know if it's a gift or trained, or you're born with but the biggest thing is the feeling of accomplishment."

The Gallery opens tomorrow and runs until February 17th.

*Disclosure: Mike Blume is a reporter with GoldenWest Radio.