When it came to choosing a title for her one-woman exhibition, which opens on Friday, artist Rhona Emmerson did not hesitate. In her view, 'Licence to Create' epitomises the aims of the Masterworks Foundation's 'Artists Up Front... Street' series.

"Masterworks is such a strong supporter of the arts," she says. "The 'Up Front' series is a chance to test the waters and showcase new work, and the gallery is not as intimidating as a big gallery. It allows you to take small steps before you go on to do a big show.

"Masterworks is one of the anchors keeping Bermuda's art at the forefront. While recognising old masters like Homer, it is also feeding new artists (into the mainstream) - young people who are coming up. It gives them a chance to get involved."

While Mrs. Emmerson is an accomplished artist, and no stranger to exhibiting, she is also a very busy businesswoman, wife and mother, which means that she has not always found the time to paint for pleasure, so the Masterworks invitation was just the impetus she needed to put brushes to canvas once more.

For the past nine months she has been steadily preparing for her exhibition, which will include land and seascapes and still lifes, all of them in her chosen medium of acrylic.

"I haven't worked in acrylics for a long time, and I have really enjoyed it," she says.

A self-described "night owl," Mrs. Emmerson has used the stillness of the dayvenings, sitting on her porch, to bring to life reference sketches she has made on location, and she declares herself pleased with the results.

"You learn to refine your skill sets over a long period of time, and I am at a point in my life where I can indulge in experimentation, and expand and take more risks with my art. In my 40s I think my paintings are at a much more mature level than when I was in my 20s, and I think I have much more of myself in my paintings than I have had before," she says. "Art matures along with you, if you let it. You have to feed it by putting yourself on the line and doing a show. If I sign up for a show it forces me to get it done."

There will be 26 paintings in 'Licence to Create', all of them featuring elements of Bermuda.

Mrs. Emmerson graduated from George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology with a diploma in Graphic Design. She worked in advertising and was a freelance artist until 1982, when she and a partner founded Creative Dimensions, of which she was president and art director.

In 1996, that company bought and merged with Advertising Associates, with herself remaining as president and art director - a role she continues to hold in what is now known as AAC Saatchi & Saatchi.

Illustration has always been her first love, and watercolours ar her principle medium, although she has worked in many other media. In addition, her work can be found on a wide variety of souvenir and gift items in local stores, and her paintings are included in private collections both here and abroad.

Married to photographer and platinum printer Mark Emmerson, the couple have three children: Hannah, Gordon and Joshua, all of whom have inherited their parents' artistic genes.

"Hannah has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and is a metalsmith doing three-dimensional jewellery and functional art. One day I will do a mother and daughter show," Mrs. Emmerson says. "Gordon is at Dalhousie University as a drama major, and Joshua is in high school. He is very creative. He has dreams of dabbling in computer art. I think he is going to be a mechanical genius because he has a passion for video games."

All three children are as adept at face and body painting as Mrs. Emmerson, and often participate with her at Harbour Nights, where she has been a "regular" for a decade.

"They each have their own style, and they are all great at it. In fact, I think they're better than me," she says.

"Those nights allow them to talk to people, be nice, and deliver a service. They have instant gratification, and then they get paid."

Whatever money the children earn goes into their college fund because their mother says: "I believe in children who believe in themselves, earn their money and pay their way. 'Gainfully employed children' is my favourite phrase!"

Interestingly, Mr. Emmerson will have his own show of platinum prints in the 'Artists Up Front...Street' series in November. Meanwhile, the opening reception for 'Licence to Create' is on Friday from 5.30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Masterworks gallery at 97 Front Street, and will continue through October 4. For further information ( 295-5580.