When Bermudian Suzette (Hollis) Matson opens her solo exhibition in Studio B of the Bermuda Society of Arts' People's Gallery this evening it will be a 'first' for the woman who is mainly self-taught, and whose who interest in art was first fostered during her school days at Mount St. Agnes Academy.

A UK resident for many years now, Mrs. Matson has maintained her link with art in various ways, although not consistently.

For 15 years her work with a charitable trust included teaching art to clients with learning difficulties, which included a highly successful exhibition of their work. Thereafter, Mrs. Matson pursued her sporting interests for a time before she became interested in painting Bisqueware — which she also teaches to her clients.

Then, thanks to a group of her friends, she was inspired to get back into painting "for the sheer enjoyment of it", and she also began attending art exhibitions and supporting artists in the Boston, Lincolnshire area of England where she lives.

When a well-known area artist saw one of Mrs. Matson's paintings at the framers and bought it, she was greatly encouraged, but it was a trip to Petra, during which she was captivated by the myriad desert colours, which marked a turning point.

"That really got me going," the amateur artist says. But it was a particularly emotional upheaval in her life in 2006 that led to her becoming immersed in painting, as well as writing words to accompany her work, as a stress reliever, and from that point on she has never looked back.

Recalling that difficult period, Mrs. Matson says she noticed that what was emerging in her art were reflections of the happy, positive times she had enjoyed growing up in Bermuda, including her "wonderful childhood", and every time she came back to the Island she left with happy memories which further fuelled her creativity.

Self-critical and realistic, the transplanted Bermudian has no qualms about throwing out work with which she is dissatisfied. Even so, she took stock of the mounting collection of paintings in her home and decided to bite the bullet and have a show in one of the small exhibition areas the Bermuda Society of Arts creates especially for budding artists.

The result is 'Illusions' — a mixed-media show which includes water colours, pastels, oils, and a mixture of oil and wax.

Regarding the title, Mrs. Matson says she selected that because "It is how you look at the paintings as to what you see, and that is the spirit of the show. Basically, I hope I have captured the spirit of Bermuda, and the spirit of what you find here. There is always something to see and discover in such a small place.

"Everything is so negative these days, but there is life, hope and spirit out there for anyone who feels stressed.

"It is a matter of looking at what you've got and using different aspects of different things. I just hope people see the spirit of Bermuda through my paintings. I think my paintings are full of positivity."

• 'Illusions' continues through March 12. For gallery hours and further information see today's Bermuda Calendar.