Artists share tree interest

Three local artists known as "the tree ladies" will exhibit their latest pieces at the Pearl Beach Memorial Hall this weekend.

Ms Marijke Greenway, Ms Pim Sarti and Ms Robyn Bellamy all enjoy strong connections to the Central Coast environment with their portrayal of trees earning them the "tree ladies" title.

With paints and easels at the ready, they are armed to capture on canvas the light and colour of waterways, bush, beaches and trees.

Ms Greenway is an established Pearl Beach artist.

Her most recent awards were at the Royal Easter Show (one first and two third prizes), and a Highly Commended at the Royal Art Society.

Every year, she holds a solo exhibition For the Love of Trees in the Palm House at Sydney's Royal Botanic Gardens.

Ms Greenway is also a tutor and keen supporter of art on the Central Coast, operating her own studio gallery at Pearl Beach.

Ms Sarti is a descendant of an early Pearl Beach family and paints portraits and local landscapes, as well as still life work, often about food.

She trained at the National Art School and, while living for a time in Hong Kong and Malaysia, she studied Chinese painting.

She has also won many local art awards.

In 2004, Ms Greenway and Ms Sarti, both residents of Pearl Beach, organised their first Showoffs exhibition at the Pearl Beach Memorial Hall and have since held it there every two years with Ms Bellamy joining them in 2008.

Ms Bellamy's early professional life was in visual arts education following her training at the National Art School.

For the past 10 years, her principal interest has been painting and her inspiration the Central Coast environment.

She exhibits regionally and in Sydney.

Showoffs 2010 will be held from Saturday, October 2, until Monday, October 4, from 10am to 5pm each day.

The public is invited to the exhibition's opening on Friday, October 1, from 5pm, when Mr Luke Whitington will deliver poetic reflections on the artists' offerings.

Mr Whitington recently returned from many years in Europe where he wrote and was published widely.

Press release, 20 Sep 2010 Lynne Lillico, Pearl Beach Progress Association