A DUTCH auction of original artwork is hoping to raise thousands of dollars in aid of tsunami relief.

However the artist, Joan Aspinall, is banking on the kindness of strangers to assist her efforts ? now off the island for three months on a long-planned expedition, she is praying a local company will provide an exhibit area where the public may come to view her works.

"The idea began with a memorial service I attended at St. Theresa's Cathedral for the tsunami victims," she explained. "But one of the things that really prompted me, what really pushed me over the edge to do this, was when I saw that skinflint George Bush had only contributed $10,000.

"His family earned $1 billion in commissions from the Saudi Arabian government ? his personal wealth, $1 billion. So I figure if he's only going to put in $10,000, well, I've got $10,000 worth of paintings.

"My worry is that the paintings are now being stored in my apartment, which is being sublet for the time that we're away. The tenant has graciously offered to release a painting if somebody wanted to see it but I would prefer if a company ? one of the insurance companies with a great big lobby ? stepped forward and offered to hang them so they could be viewed publicly."

The idea of using her artistic talent in aid of charity was a tried and tested one, Mrs. Aspinall said. In 2001, she donated the proceeds from the sale of 10,000 of her prints to the families of those New York City fire fighters who died in the September 11 terrorist attacks. However, with plans to leave the island for three months, she knew it would be impossible to replicate that effort.

"We sold $2,000 worth of art," she said. "As artists, we make most of our money selling prints ? usually at (the) Harbour Nights (festivities held on Front Street during the tourist season). I knew it would be impossible for me to sell prints again because I wasn't going to be physically here, but the idea of doing something as an artist was really bugging me."

Her solution? She selected 26 of her original pieces, digitally captured their images, and placed them on a web site dedicated to artists and their works ? www.yessy.com. Entitled Art for Life, all proceeds will be divided between the Red Cross and St. Theresa's Cathedral and used to directly benefit tsunami victims.

"As an artist, if you participate in an art show, your work is only up for two or three weeks," she explained. "That's it. After that, it either ends up on somebody's wall or in the back of your closet. I don't have a lot of money to contribute, but I do have a wealth of talent and resources. So this is my gift. It represents years of hard work at painting."

Each piece is offered at two prices ? a gallery price and the minimum reserve bid.

"The gallery price is what the piece would be offered at if, say, it was shown at the Bermuda Society of Arts," she said. "So I put the gallery price that had been requested at the time it was exhibited, and I also put the minimum reserve bid. This way, if someone sees a piece of work they can't say I'll give you $50 for it when it's priced at $2,500.

"Some of them are really large scale ? 36 inches by 48 ? so they're quite an impressive wall piece. I think it's a great opportunity for someone who's seen my art. Perhaps they saw a painting that was out of their reach, financially. Now they can get it for a price that's much under the quoted price and they're donating to a good cause as well."

As described by Mrs. Aspinall, the paintings are all acrylics. Many feature Bermudian scenes.

"I thought the best way to was to allow people to submit a bid ? via e-mail ? directly to me," she said of the buying process. "If someone is interested, and would like to pay the full price, the gallery price, they can have it right away. Otherwise, they can place a bid and wait. The cut-off date is June 1 so, for at least five months, people can view the work."

One hundred per cent of the sale price will be sent to St. Theresa's Cathedral, which will then forward all donations to Asia, Mrs. Aspinall said. As such, buyers should make out cheques in favour of the church.

Mrs. Aspinall said people wishing to examine a painting before committing to purchase would be able to do so through an arrangement she has made with St. Theresa's.

"But it would be great if a company would offer their lobby," she added.

q Companies willing to display Mrs. Aspinall's art may contact her via e-mail, pinaibl.bm. The art may be viewed on yessy.com/joankaspinall.