Hinson Island will never look quite the same again after an upcoming exhibition by Melony Kendell.

Her debut solo show "Hinson Island 360°" opens tomorrow evening at the Rose Garden Gallery, at the Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art, Botanical Gardens. Canadian educated, Mrs. Kendell studied at Mount Saint Allison University, where she attained a Bachelor's Degree in Fine Arts.

Although this is her first solo show, she submitted a painting in the Plein Air Painters show at the Dockyard Arts Centre.

She also participated in the Kaleidoscope Arts Foundation's Wet Paint Auction.

Before her daughter Mila was born, Mrs. Kendell spent eight years working as a jeweller/goldsmith for Walker Christopher, on Front Street.

She says that it was there that she made showroom pieces, special orders for customers and carried out repairs.

"So I love to work with my hands, making art and creating," said the Hinson Island resident.

The creations for ''Hinson Island 360°'' comprise 30 oil on canvas paintings.

"After being wholly focused on raising Mila, the creative energy in me just had to come out," Mrs. Kendell said. "The results can be seen here in my exhibition of oil paintings.

"Most of these works are en plein air, which means that they were painted on site, most often standing in my neighbours' yards!"

The artist explained that she had attempted to capture the magical beauty of Hinson ¿ her island home.

"In so doing I have enjoyed using bright colours and experimenting with the play of colours in the shadows," she said.

"I have been particularly attracted to some of the gnarled and weathered trees, whose distressed forms reveal entirely another side to seaside living.

"It has been a fulfilling year, in the company of my easel."

When asked, why she decided to focus on Hinson Island, she explained: "This is where I live, so it was out of mere convenience really.

"I don't always have access to a car and the thought of lugging an easel filled with oil paints, a canvas and supplies wasn't appealing.

"I asked many of my neighbours if I could come in their yard and paint if I wanted, and that way if it rained I could pack up and dash home. It gave the paintings a focus and I don't think Hinson Island had been painted too much in the past.

"With every painting, I feel that I have learned and progressed, and I hope that you will agree!"

The opening reception is from 5.30 until 7 p.m. tomorrow.