Magical brushes, buttery oil paints, scenes of Southlands and a room with a view create the ambience for Rhona Emmerson's new show.

The show entitled Recent Works: A Colour Journey in Progress opens at the Lighthouse Tea Room, Southampton, on Sunday evening.

Mrs. Emmerson's paintings were created all over the Island, while painting in house and plein air.

"Plien air painting forces one to paint colours, lights and shadows," she said. "It is so different from studio painting ? so the real inspiration is the amazing light and contrasts Bermuda has.

"Colour, true colours that are there ? you just have to make yourself see it. Then the challenge is: Can I capture that on canvas? I find the colour in my paints and make it look like something.

"Plein air also makes you work quickly as all changes ? sun in and out, tides in or out, as the clouds pass etc. The fun is then finishing the piece with what your mind has captured at the location, and any reference you have from your outings."

Other than painting on location, Mrs. Emmerson steals away whenever she can to do one of her favourite things.

"I paint as often as I can," she said, "Lunchtimes with a my friend Jackie Wooley when we both can get away, every fortnight on Sundays at plien air, or at home on my porch, or dining room table it if is late at night.

"I squeeze it in, I am very grateful to the plein air group as it gives me a reason to go out and to not put it off and I really like it so I make the time.

"It comes in waves ? can't stop myself. Wednesday nights I face and body paint with my kids at Harbour nights. My warm up."

The overall theme is scenic Bermuda and outings at home with lots of colour. Of her year's worth of work she said it was difficult to choose her favourite piece, but said: "The one on the invitation, it was a glimpse out my kitchen window that I had caught the early morning warm light. Colours so intense.

"The same with the path through the trees at Southlands, it's just an amazing drive way ? the play of light through the trees, patterns on the ground and through the leaves, and ocean views. What can I say really? I like them all and the most personal favourites I keep for myself."

Although, Mrs. Emmerson has traditionally worked in water based colours, she said: "It's oils this time! Watercolour, acrylics, pen and ink washes etc. were easier and I liked working in the studio a.k.a my dining room table, and to rely on reference, especially when I had young children and location painting was a nightmare.

"Now my children are off to college etc., I can get out and paint now and I really love it. So, I gathered the nerve up to tackle oils and I have really enjoyed it. A real challenge and I rely heavily on my magic brushes and soft buttery oil paints."

Painting and craft artwork has been her life, she said.

"I was going to grow up and be an commercial illustrator, but found advertising instead, and have enjoyed everyday. Plus I get to work with seven brilliant graphic artists instead, and so have found my way back to a painting for pleasure."

She was educated at Ryerson and George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology, both in Toronto. And since which has done painting workshops on the Island with Amy Evans, Chris Marson and Ken Auster.

She is looking forward to exhibiting in the Lighthouse Tearoom.

"It is a great new location and something quite different," she said. "It will be a fun opening on the 24th, Mandy Cohen from the Tearoom is a great host, plus I am blessed to have Deirdre Furtado working with me on this show and location.

"She loves the arts and is a great champion of the artists, and so upbeat. She really knows how to sell the artist. She is a star!

She unlike many of us, is living her dream and if she couldn't be the artist that she is she would do exactly what she does as president of AAC.

"I live the second choice, I get to boss about the art department here at AAC direct, create and manage projects," she said.

"Drive my husband mad as I boss him about, his photography, master of the BXW platinum printer, of which I am very proud.

"Shows and development, and boss all my kids about in their art careers, Hannah is a jeweller, Gordon is off to study drama and teacher training, and Joshua enters art school this September to do metal work.

"Plus I make them face paint with me. Just one bossy boots! See what happens when you turn 50! Great stuff! Actually seriously, I will always support the arts, so I'd teach if anyone would turn up, and support the next generation where I could. Art is a tremendous field, so many directions ? so little time."

So, what does art mean to Mrs. Emmerson?

"Hmm.. a hard one," she said. "Escape. A challenge.

"I'm always up for a challenge. I think as a kid being a part of a big family it was about being seen and heard amongst the masses.

"Great satisfaction. When it works and comes together ? wow! It's great to have something tangible to look at and remember the location, and see it and feel it all over again.

"Painting is a passion and should remain so, otherwise you get caught up in all noise and loose sight of why you paint. So take a risk show your work for others to see, enjoy, like or dislike."

The exhibition opens on Sunday at 5.30 to 7.30 p.m. and the show will remain up until August 25.