Artists, Tom and Lyn Mason are opening their ‘first’ painting exhibition on Saturday.

Tom, originally from Eumundi and Lyn, considered a “Pine Mountain girl,” met through the medium of photography and have lived in Booval for 29 years. 

“We are both pretty much self-taught,” said Tom. 

“I have always dabbled in art and painted full time back in the 60s, but my career got in the way for 30 odd years. I started painting again about nine years ago.

“Since retiring I rarely go a day without painting.

“Lyn on the other hand has only been painting for about four years after watching me paint at an annual Paint-out at Mudgee.

“It’s exciting sharing like interests.”

The couple share their enjoyment of the artform with each other and with the community making the comment that “the Ipswich arts scene is alive and well.”

“We belong to the Ipswich Art Society and Ipswich ArtsConnect,” Tom said. 

“The arts movement in Ipswich and its history have inspired us greatly.”

Tom and Lyn are watercolour enthusiasts and enjoy the advantage it gives them when they travel to places which inspire them to paint. 

“Watercolour is by far the most challenging medium, but very satisfying when you get it right,” Tom said. 

“It’s light to carry and dries on the spot.

“The biggest challenge was the time it took to learn watercolour, but we have both painted in France to learn the secrets of watercolour.

“Over the last nine years we have been fortunate to travel to France, Europe and England and are both inspired by the beauty and quality of light in Europe.”

Tom also paints with acrylics.

Although the two artists tend to focus on landscapes, seascapes, city and town scapes and portraiture, Lyn has recently branched out and begun a series of quirky painting of Australian animals.

The couple often paint together, but individualise their work.  

“We both see things differently and interpret our subjects in our own way,” said Tom. 

“I think our art is a reflection of us and our loves.”

Their free exhibition will be on display for a fortnight and will showcase their work featuring Paris street scenes, landscapes in rural France and Cornwall and the Cotswolds as well as their local landscapes painted either in situ around the Scenic Rim or in their home studio at Booval.

Tom will be manning the exhibition and sale at the Ipswich Community Gallery and will be painting every day. Lyn will be there on weekends. 

“Our message in our art is love what you see, enjoy the moment and ultimately have fun with art.

“We do it to show our love for the world and its many beauties.

“It’s our objective, to capture the simple beauty that most people don’t notice.”