The latest exhibition in the 'Small Gallery' at Colby Woodland Gardens is something of a family affair. Audrey Petersen, a regular exhibitor, makes a welcome return, accompanied by daughter Cherry Pickles, and granddaughter Rosie. Cherry graduated from the Chelsea School of Art in the late '70s, followed by a Post Grad. Diploma from the Slade, and has been painting ever since. Somehow she manages to fit in some part-time art lecturing at the University of Wales in Cardiff between running a family together with a full-time business in Trevine, while constantly producing new and exciting work. She has exhibited widely, particularly in Greece, where she spends several weeks a year, since winning a Greek Government Scholarship in 1991. Her response to the Greek landscape and culture comes out in the warm hues of her light-filled beachscapes which perfectly evoke those lazy-hazy days of a Mediterranean summer. Here at home, Cherry continues to use this style of advantage in translating her own unique vision of Pembrokeshire. She will capture a well-known scene from an unusual viewpoint, not always focusing on the obvious, and sometimes blatantly asymmetric, but always skilfully draughted and totally innovative. Cherry's treatment of the female figure is again a lesson in the avoidance of stereotypes; where other artists may concentrate on preconceived ideas of beauty, hers actually don't tell you very much about what the person looks like . . . but they will tell you plenty of other things . . . best to go to Colby and find out for yourself! Daughter Rosie is set to follow the family tradition when she begins studying for an art degree at St. Martins this autumn. Currently enjoying her gap year, travelling and doing voluntary work, she attended Ysgol Dewi Sant, where she achieved an exceptionally high pass in her final exam. This exhibition will hopefully be the first of many at the start of a successful career. Audrey may be deservedly proud of her offspring, but part of their success may lie in the fact that she herself has never ceased wanting to learn and explore. Always in search of new skills and modes of expression, she is as happy writing (both poetry and prose), as she is wielding a paint brush. Since her last exhibition at Colby she has been studying the art of Chinese brush painting, drawing and calligraphy - skills which she now incorporates into her already extensive repertoire. The only problem with this exhibition is how to make enough space in the 'Small Gallery' to accommodate such a wealth of talent! The exhibition runs from May 8 to 28 and is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, together with gardens, tea rooms and National Trust Shop. Please note, a few places are still available for the 'Head Gardener's Walk and Lunch' on May 9 and 23, and Graham Hadlow's Watercolour Workshops on June 19 and 26. For details, please ring the gallery on 01834 814200.
