They're calling it The Lapsley Show, but their exhibition opening in the Edinburgh Gallery at City Hall on Saturday might just as appropriately be entitled All in the Family.

While James and Catherine Lapsley and their children Peter and Jennifer are all artistic in their own right, and have exhibited their work individually, this is the first time they have held a joint show.

Behind the easels and cameras the story is the same. In what might be described as a perfect example of "the family that paints together stays together,'' the already close-knit Lapsleys have made a conscious decision to develop and enhance their artistic abilities as a unit.

Thus it is that they all paint together -- regularly, and for hours at a time.

There are, however, self-imposed limits on their togetherness: no collaboration on an individual's work, and no uninvited critiquing.

"Everybody works in a co-operative, not hierarchal, fashion,'' Lapsley pe nre explains. "Rather than a desultory hobby, this has become an intense focus for us, and we are trying to find out what it will produce. That's the interesting part -- if you do it all the time you improve by leaps and bounds.'' While Mrs. Lapsley is the only one in the family with formal training -- she studied all facets of art before graduating from Kingston Art College in London, England with a BA in graphic design -- the other three discovered that they, too, had latent artistic ability.

How they each arrived at their present level of enthusiasm is as varied as their styles.

James Lapsley first began to paint seriously in 1987, and soon became known for his minutely detailed miniatures, which sold well in various exhibitions.

He is also a keen digital photographer who has won top awards in local shows for some of the 2000 images he takes each year.

Recently, he has been painting larger images, the subject matter for which has been broadened thanks to his photography.

Like his father, Peter is a self-taught artist who enjoys both painting and photography. Following his graduation from St. Francis Xavier University in Canada with a BA degree in anthropology, he travelled the world for some time, taking odd jobs here and there to support his adventures.

It was not until he recently returned home that he began to take art and photography seriously -- so seriously, in fact, that he too scooped up top awards in last November's photographic exhibition, and has also sold some of his works.

Thus encouraged, Peter has become an active member of "Team Lapsley,'' although he admits that he prefers to paint in the evening after work (he is an account executive at an advertising agency) on his own rather than en famille.

He loves Bermuda's colours, and is particularly fascinated by the changes they undergo in shadow.

"There are a lot of colourful houses around, and I often end up painting them,'' he says.

Skies are "a specialty'', and according to his father, "Peter has a true colour sense, which I envy. He analyses the colours in shadows so well''.

Clearly delighted with his burgeoning ability, Peter Lapsley says he would like to take his art further in future.

"If I can possibly do anything in my life, it would be to be a painter,'' he enthuses. "It is a fantastic thing to do.'' While sister Jennifer is still studying for her Bachelor's degree in English and Political Science at St. Francis Xavier University, she too has succumbed to developing her talents as a novice artist within the family bosom during study breaks.

Unlike the rest of her family, however, Jennifer's interest lies in the abstract.

"Shapes attract me,'' she explains. "I try to look at things and not necessarily paint in all the details of an object, but focus on the shapes and patterns the space fills. I enjoy the physical experience of putting paint on canvas. My work is bold and colourful, and no two pieces are alike.'' Her father, on the other hand, is keen on older, historical art.

"For decades I have been interested in the great painters of the past, and I think that has influenced what I do. I love paintings that take me back to quieter or historical times rather than conventional scenes -- the old, quality views painted by Halliwell, Treidler, James, and Thomas Driver, for example; images that people might want to look at for a longer time.'' For her part, Mrs. Lapsley -- who, in addition to being a graphic artist also sculpts -- finds her subject matter any and everywhere, a taste she describes as "eclectic''.

"For this show I have been trying to branch out and do different things, such as landscapes -- but they are not typical pink cottage, moongate and beach scenes,'' she explains.

All in the Family Others subjects are taken from everyday life, such as a solitary man sitting around Hamilton.

"They tend to show people a different way of looking at things -- my particular way of looking at things,'' she says.

"Her work is quiet and beautiful,'' her husband says. "It is evocative without trying to be pretty.'' Whilst sharing the joy of collective creativity, and being a sort of mutual admiration society, the Lapsleys admit that, when it comes to the music they paint by, choice is "often disparate''.

"The music of choice is as eclectic as the art, and ranges from Led Zeppelin to classical, but Bob Dylan is mutually popular,'' Mr. Lapsley says.

But surely spending so much time together must produce some irritation or annoyance? "We have always been a united family, and I can't think of a fifth person who would be welcome into the group,'' Mr. Lapsley asserts.

There will be approximately 50 pieces in The Lapsley Show, which runs from June 24 to July 7 in the Edinburgh Gallery, Bermuda Society of Arts, City Hall (upper level). Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Saturday.

Admission is free.