Bridget Paape launches Life is for Living, a collection of 20 paintings she has created over the past three months. The set consists of five acrylic on canvas works of different sizes and the remainder watercolours.
She depicts bright flowers and butterflies and contemporary scenes from Arrowtown and Southern pastures and camping sites.
The showcase also features prints of her colourful and quirky picture Eco Deposits of New Zealand, an A-to-Z of native animals.
The Dunedin and West Otago raised businesswoman and mother of a young daughter has been an artist for about 25 years - 20 of them in Arrowtown and the past dozen with her own ceramics and gifts emporium, Off the Wall Gallery.
"Ceramics have been a big part of my life, but I've decided to concentrate on my art because that's my passion," Ms Paape said.
"I've done real estate, cafe ownership and worked in hotels, but I've always come back to art."
Asked how she was feeling about her solo exhibition debut, "Stressed," she replied, joking.
"I'm quite excited, actually. I'm looking forward to the feedback of what people think and, hopefully, some good sales.
"It's such a great spot [in the Arrowtown Gallery]. I love this old church and that's why I'm exhibiting here."
The price range for the works in Life is for Living is from $250 to $2000. The show runs until October 19. The public is welcome to attend the show opening in the Arrowtown Gallery on Berkshire St today from 5pm to 7pm if they call the gallery in advance on (03) 442-1755.
