Two friends, two different styles, one joint exhibition.

That, in a nutshell, sums up the rationale behind Moods, the art show currently in progress at the Burnaby Gallery.

Despite the fact that Sara Landau and Caroline Troncossi have been friends for years, and have always supported each other as young artists, it took the catalysm of well-known artist Henry Ward to bring the duo together for the first time in one gallery.

Although Miss Landau makes her home in Montreal, her link with Bermuda stretches back to the days when her then-bachelor father built a house here, and subsequently met his wife. Growing up, young Sara spent every Christmas, Spring and Summer break here with her family.

In the course of "hanging out'' in her teens, she was introduced to Miss Troncossi, and the pair formed a firm friendship based on their mutual love of art.

Today, while their styles are very different, they are complementary when seen together. Miss Landau says she is influenced by American expressionism and modern art, while her fellow exhibitor lists American impressionism and minimalism as her principal influences.

Both women use photography to record images they later draw on for inspiration -- in fact, Miss Landau has a special gift for photography -- but what emerges on canvas is strictly original.

Graduating from New York State's Skidmore College with a Bachelor of Science degree in studio art, Miss Landau returned to her native Montreal in 1977 where she worked in her father's art gallery whilst preparing for her first solo exhibition, a series of 14 figurative canvases and works on paper.

A portrait of her dog, entitled Tormen's Dream, led to the start of her first business venture -- Tormen's Dreamworks -- wherein she solicited clients to paint portraits of their pets.

Today, Miss Landau still does pet portraits on commission, but her eye is also attracted to the human form.

"I have always used the figure as the primary subject to explore my unique sensibilities in painting,'' she says. "Although most of my work originates from the model, including the influence of classical figurative masters, I have also been very influenced by contemporary painters.'' In preparing her eight new oils for Moods, the artist has chosen to focus on the female face because she says "I feel that there are certain emotions expressed in each painting that only female characters can convey''.

But these are not run-of-the-mill portraits. In addition to the central subject or subjects, Miss Landau's canvases include shadows of other things and checkerboard designs.

"I like to show the history of the painting -- where it is coming from, how I made certain decisions,'' she explains. "It's not just a question of `What you see is what you get.' In the background there are sketches of other things, and things that I have tried which may not have worked, but once you paint over it, it becomes something else. There is a bit of mystery in it.'' While the Canadian declares that art is her passion, she confesses that it comes at a price.

"I find art tormenting,'' she says. "I think you strive for perfection, and you don't know the outcome. You can never say what a painting is going to be like. It is a process -- you make things happen.'' Like all artists, however, Miss Landau experiences growth through her self-professed torment, and has no thought of changing careers.

"To me, art is the way I express myself,'' she explains. "It is my individuality, and something I can hold on to. I create something and it is mine no matter who has it. There is real satisfaction in that.'' For Miss Troncossi, a Masterworks Foundation scholarship awardee whose art education includes attendance at the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design, and degree studies at New York's Parsons School of Art and Design and London's Central Saint Martins College of Art, the paintings in Moods reflect her research into Buddhist beliefs and lifestyles, her daily yoga sessions, and her interest in colour therapy.

"My work has been based on these ideas for the last four years, parallelled with the visual references to the ocean,'' she explains.

Green, blue, indigo, royal blue, aqua and turquoise predominate in her canvases -- so chosen for the healing powers they bring to the viewer, as detailed in Ted Andrews' book, How to Heal with Colour.

According to the author, green is the most predominant colour on our planet.

It balances human energies, increases sensitivity and compassion, and is soothing to the nervous system.

Among other properties, blue cools the system, is relaxing and has an antiseptic effect, while indigo and deeper shades of blue are dynamic healing colours at both the spiritual and physical level. Royal blue is very antiseptic and helps the body to assimilate oxygen, and aqua and turquoise also cool the system.

"I hope my work brings the viewer tranquillity, inner peace and serenity,'' Miss Troncossi says.

Like Miss Landau, the Bermudian artist says the creative process does not come easily, despite her successful track record of previous exhibitions and sales.

"It is a hard process mentally, and sometimes physically, because my canvases are so big,'' she says. "I have my ideas, but when I come to paint them, they completely change.'' In the Mood A very disciplined lifestyle is Miss Troncossi's key to getting through every day, even the bad ones.

"Even though I know when I am doing my work on a daily basis, life is more balanced,'' she says. "Art brings unity, and I like the way you can do whatever you want with it. It is not restricting.'' Moods continues at the Burnaby Gallery until April 22. Admission is free. For further information telephone 292-8614.