Professional artist Jonah Jones is well known for his Bermuda-themed paintings, but when his solo exhibition opens in the Bermuda Society of Arts' Edinburgh Gallery this evening viewers will discover a whole new world on canvas and board.

Last November, Mr. Jones spent a month painting in Venice, Italy, which yielded a rich collection of 52 paintings in various sizes, ranging from studies at four by seven inches, to a large studio piece measuring 36 by 48 inches. The artist is donating one painting, 'Jonah's Café', for sale by silent auction, the proceeds of which will go to the Women's Resource Centre, a cause he believes in.

As always, Mr. Jones' bold, vibrant brush has been used to colourful effect in capturing the essence of everyday life in the famed sinking city — winding canals, gondolas, cafés, buildings, bridges, the centuries-old fish and fruit market, and even drying laundry are all preserved as moments in time.

From his rented apartment in the centre of St. Bartholomew Square, 50 yards from the famed Rialto bridge, Mr. Jones ventured out by day and night into the surrounding areas armed with his painting paraphernalia, as well as going further afield to the outer areas of Venice "where the regular folk lived". From the terrace (altana) of his apartment the wonderful views across the city to the distant Dolomites also attracted his artistic eye.

He found painting night studies particularly exciting because of the ambient light — either spilling from nearby buildings or lamp posts, or reflected off the canals.

"I loved the reflections, busy cafés, the coffee society, things going on, the contrasts... and the buildings strike you as much weightier," the artist says.

Sometimes the days were warm, but on any nights the temperature was just one degree above zero. Undaunted, he carried on, and even became something of a familiar figure to passersby.

"The Venetians were very kind, and a few spoke broken English," Mr. Jones remembers. 'One said, 'You are not a tourist'. A couple of older people stopped when they were out walking with their sons in the evening and said, 'I used to live in this piazza.' Some had lived all their lives in Venice.

"There was something sad about the old people there. Venice is obviously not wheelchair accessible. As a young person, Venice is tiring, but once they can't walk over the bridges, they have to go to the mainland or are confined to a small island if they live on in Venice."

Of course, the light in Venice was very different to Bermuda's, but to the artist it brought a fresh perspective.

"I was trying to capture energy and essence of the place. I enjoyed it and would love to go back again and do another series," he says.

Well-known for his connection with the Bermuda Arts Centre at Dockyard, where he has a studio, Mr. Jones' decision to hold his solo exhibition at the Bermuda Society of Arts (BSoA) was a deliberate one.

"When I heard they were having issues with the Corporation of Hamilton, I thought everybody should throw their support behind the Society, so I said I would have my show there to show faith in the organisation."

Having studied art at the Bermuda College from 1992-94, the former professional chef is also delighted to be opening tonight in tandem with the College Show in the BSoA's adjacent Onion Gallery.

Both exhibitions will run until April 23. For further information see the Bermuda Calendar. For a preview of Mr. Jones' paintings, see website www.jonah-art.com.