Hall this weekend brings together four talented Bermudian artists who share the common thread of friendship whilst retaining their own distinctive styles Of the four, only Vernon Clarke earns his living as a professional artist, while Paula Lightbourne is a gallery manager by day, Joan Thompson is a full-time housewife, and Belinda Tartaglia works part-time.

The concept of holding a joint exhibition originated with Mrs. Tartaglia who felt that each of her friends had a special gift to share with the viewing public. Combined, she believed, their work would make a vibrant viewing experience.

For each of the artists, the path to City Hall has been arrived at differently, and only Mr. Clarke has undergone formal training. Ms Lightbourne, Mrs. Tartaglia and Mrs. Thompson, on the other hand, are largely self-taught.

The quartet all trace their passion for art back to their early childhood when drawing and colouring were a natural part of life's creative journey.

Today, when they face a blank canvas or paper, it is with an open mind and no foreknowledge of where their imaginations and brushes will take them.

"Art is a subject by subject process that leads me into things that I couldn't sit down and imagine myself,'' says Mr. Clarke. "A lot of what I do comes from what artists describe as the painting starting to communicate back to you. It starts to say, `Too much of this, too little of that,' so it is an experimental process.'' Ms Lightbourne agrees.

"I have no references whatsoever. I just take an empty canvas and decide right there and then what I am going to paint. That's the best part of the whole painting experience.'' All concur, however, that their pieces reflect life influences, experiences and adventures.

For Ms Lightbourne, the death of her mother Barbara last year represented a significant artistic turning point. Whereas before her canvases were smaller, she now prefers to work on a much larger scale.

"It has been a great healing experience,'' she says of this new direction.

"My family and friends have been my greatest supporters.'' Mr. Clarke's new beginning as a professional artist comes after a long career as a soldier, engineer and prison officer. His recent three years of study in Britain, resulting in a Bachelor of Arts, FA, has, he says, given him a new focus and a fresh attitude towards his creativity.

A former bank employee who finally left "after it drove me crazy'', Mrs.

Thompson has turned a part-time hobby into an all-consuming passion. A once-familiar figure at her easel at Barnes Corner, the housewife has converted part of her home into the Twin Art Studio, where she paints daily.

Despite the fact that her work has long been popular with locals and visitors alike, this is the first time Mrs. Thompson has participated in an exhibition, and her pieces will represent a change of subject.

"For this show I am trying to zoom in on men,'' she says. "Normally I do scenes, but I have tried to do them at play or work, or just at peace.'' Ms Lightbourne is another first-time exhibitor, who admits she finds the prospect "exciting''.

"It is a new chapter in my life, and I plan to show 27 pieces, some of which are my old favourites,'' she says.

While inspiration seems to come from all quarters, the artists are mutually agreed that they not only like to paint alone, but also find the favourite time to do so is when the rest of the world is sleeping -- either late at night or early in the morning. At such times they say the peace and serenity is an inspiration.

"Painting is a solitary pursuit,'' Mr. Clarke explains. "The process of painting creates a zone which you reach that blocks everything out. The painting becomes like a good book -- it takes you over. I like painting late at night when the house is quiet, the traffic stops, and it's just me and my dog Yogi. It helps you to get to that place inside yourself.'' Mrs. Thompson says early mornings are her favourite time, although she does paint during the day.

She credits her husband with encouraging her to devote more of her life to painting, and he was also the one who got her involved in selling them.

"If someone wants to buy my painting that's great, but I don't like to encourage people to buy my work,'' she confesses.

While the artists say that inspiration comes from various moods and indefinable urges, some do have their favourite subjects. For Mrs. Thompson, generally it is landscapes, while Mrs. Tartaglia favours hats and Adirondack lawn chairs.

"I paint what moves me, and I like peaceful paintings, but lawn chairs sum up my feelings about life -- sitting back with a pina cola pondering life,'' she says.

Three Gals and a Guy opens to the public on Saturday, September 23 in the main gallery of the Bermuda Society of Arts on the upper level of City Hall. It will close on October 6. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and admission is free.

In the frame: Artists (from left) Joan Thompson, Vernon Clarke and Belinda Tartaglia are all smiles as they prepare for the opening of their exhibition, Three Girls and a Guy, at city Hall this weekend. Ms Paula Lightbourne (in top photo) is also part of the group.