Creations on display for arty friends

ELEVEN women who gather regularly for art classes have pooled the products of their artistic endeavours in the Juliet Greig & Friends art exhibition, which opens in Bonnie Doon this evening.

Greig, who has been teaching some of the women since she opened Juliet’s Art Studio in 2008, said she and her pupils, who are aged between 36 and 70, became friends through their love of oil painting.

“The women bond because art is therapy and so they open up about their lives because they feel the studio is a safe place,” said Greig, whose art pupils take four three-hour lessons a month.

“Although this is a hobby, it is also good for the soul.”

Greig said some of her pupils started out with little confidence, but were buoyed by the energy and support of the group.

“I try to get them out of a perfectionist mode so that they are not hard on themselves.” She has filled the expansive living areas and the poolside patio of her elegant Bonnie Doon home with scores of colour-rich paintings, all of which are for sale.

“My home lends itself to exhibitions, so I thought I’d make use of it,” said Greig.

The artists whose vibrant works have filled her home include Janice Hurly, Tania Kriegisch, Ann Phillips, Cherry Boon, Karen Kew, Angela McNamara, Moekie Manthe, Tanya Louw, Colleen le Marquand and Debbie Carter.

Greig said she had decided to mount a group art exhibition so that her fellow artists could showcase their work and recoup some funds spent on classes and art materials.

Gonubie resident Moekie Manthe said the women inspired each other in classes.

“We learn from each other, not just our teacher, and our art develops that way. It’s amazing to do a group exhibition because sometimes you have confidence to paint, but not to show your work, but this way we can market each other’s art.”

Le Marquand, who started classes with Greig nine years ago and loves painting a variety of subjects including cows and flowers, said the women bonded over their canvasses because they shared a love of painting.

● Juliet Greig & Friends art exhibition opens this evening at 5.30pm and will be up tomorrow from 10.30am until 3.30pm at 48a Irvine Road, Bonnie Doon. —