THE well-known adage involving oil, water, and their ability to mix, will come into question this weekend. , a collaboration between artists Jonah Jones and Chris Marson opens in the main gallery at the Bermuda Society of Arts (BSoA) tonight. As you may have guessed from the title, a host of works created with oil and watercolour paints will be on display.

"Although Chris does paint in oils as well, he's primarily a water colour painter," explained Mr. Jones. "He'll be showing his watercolours. I'll be showing my oils. And there are a lot of water scenes. So (the exhibit) is just a play on words.

"Originally I had this idea that I was going to do a series of very large works. I had an idea to do some paintings in large format and (the BSoA) is the only place that's really big enough to show those works. I reached a point and thought: 'Oh man. I'm not going to get enough big works done'. For one reason or another, I ended up doing some smaller paintings and studies. So when Chris suggested we do a show together, it was almost with relief that I agreed. It was perfect. And as it happens, we now have a very large body of work together ? about 110 paintings."

Mr. Jones added that he had no problem naming the exhibit . He believes the maxim's disclosure ? that oil and water don't mix ? does not hold true in this instance; their work bound by common interests.

"It's kind of a joke really. I've been a very keen painter for years, Chris even longer. We both live (in Somerset), about five minutes from each other. We paint together a lot. We're both involved in organising a (painting) group. We both help out at the Arts Centre at Dockyard in various charitable ways. We both encourage people to paint. We went away together on a ten-day extensive workshop in Wyoming this year."

Added Mr. Marson: "I like his stuff. He likes my stuff. (The combination) definitely works."

Mr. Jones began painting in 1992 as a student of the Bermuda College Fine Arts programme under the tutelage of Diana Amos and Charles Zuill. On completion of that course, he began showing his art with the BSoA and the Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard. Employed full time as a chef, he used his spare time to attend workshops here and abroad in hopes of advancing his talent.

"In 1998 or 1999, I stopped my day job ? 'cheffing' ? and began painting full time," he said. "I did three or four one-man shows and did several group shows."

Mr. Jones creates much of his work out of a studio at the Arts Centre at Dockyard. Among his many artistic involvements, he organises a Plein Air group ? amateur and professional painters go on site to paint and critique their work ? and is involved with a group of artists who show biennially under the title, Growing.

represents his first show with Mr. Marson, who recently retired having worked in Bermuda and Canada as a graphic designer since graduating with a degree in Fine Arts in 1971.

For the last 15 years, Mr. Marson has developed his skill as a watercolour artist. His record of shows and accolades dates back to 1987 when he received a certificate of commendation for portrait drawing. With Mr. Jones, Mr. Marson has played an integral role as a teacher, leading the Plein Air group and teaching a number of watercolour workshops in recent years.

"It's two years since I've had my last arts show," Mr. Marson said. "There are a lot of people out there waiting to see what (Jonah and I) have been doing. We often paint in the same places and paint the same things, but we look at them in completely different ways. It's interesting to see our different approaches ? mine are in watercolour. His are in oils. His approach is big and bold with lots and lots of colour. Mine is kind of cool, kind of reduced. With many (of the works we are to display) we were standing in the same places and painting them but we just had a completely different way of seeing things."

While all of Mr. Marson's works which will be on exhibit will be of Bermuda scenes, Mr. Jones' local offerings will be supplemented by a smattering of oils painted in France and Wyoming.

The pair urged everyone to make an attempt to see their show and the exhibit of 3-D works that will be on display in the BSoA's smaller showplace, the Edinburgh Gallery.

"Lynn Morrell, who has the studio next to me in Dockyard, will be exhibiting as well but in the Edinburgh Gallery," Mr. Jones explained. "As we are, she's very much involved in the Dockyard gallery. So it's a bit like Dockyard comes to town."

Jokingly asked if the move to Hamilton might be viewed by other Dockyard regulars as a betrayal, Mr. Jones was quick to disagree.

"No not at all," he said. "The Arts Centre and the Arts Society are both charities. They actually work very closely together. Peter Lapsley, who's the curator of the Arts Society always comes to our openings. Likewise, we visit his. And, obviously, because Bermuda is a small island, there's a lot of cross-fertilisation if you like, of artistic ideas and what have you. We're all friends."

With neither having shown for a couple of years and both categorised as 'landscape painters', Mr. Jones admitted to looking forward to seeing his works hung as a collection.

"This is basically the best part of a year's work from both of us. We've been ferreting away our work and been really strict about no previews and so on. So in that sense it's exciting for us at well. Because I have the studio at Dockyard, I only have my work for a couple of weeks before it goes. So it's really nice to see a cohesive body of work, to see everything together. Hopefully, the show will show everybody that this is where we're at now ? whether they think it's good or bad or whatever. We hope it shows we've grown since our last."

lopens tonight in the Onions Gallery at the Bermuda Society of Arts in City Hall. The exhibit runs through October 20. For gallery hours, telephone 292-3824.