MAY Sheppard and Phil Robinson are exhibiting their paintings and photography at the Old Schoolhouse Gallery exhibition in June. Photo by Chris McCormack
May Sheppard and Phil Robinson are exhibiting their paintings and photography at the Old Schoolhouse Gallery exhibition in June.Photo by Chris McCormack
HUSBAND and wife photographer and artist Phil Robinson and May Sheppard will share their passion for birds and nature in an exhibition entitled You and Me Images at the Old School House Gallery, Cleveland from June 1 to 30.
Although they have exhibited as members of the Old School House Gallery, the exhibition will be the first solo exhibition for the pair.
Phil will display a number of works including prints on canvas, matted and framed photos.
"I have always been interested in nature. I was in Scouts for 21 years and enjoyed camping. I just started taking photos," Phil said.
Phil said he had only recently started entering his images in competitions and had received four merit awards at a Redland photography exhibition.
Phil said his favourite spot for photographs was his own back yard at Cleveland where he had photographed rainbow lorikeets in the neighbouring gum trees, blue faced honey eaters in the palm trees and fig birds "out the front".
"I photograph them and May paints them," he said.
Equally inspired by her back yard, May said it was an ideal location for her studio.
Born in England and living in New Zealand until 2004, May said she was not inspired to paint birds until she discovered the birds of Australia.
"Phil's photos start the ball rolling. Sometimes I take my own scenic shots and put his birds into it," she said.
May said she liked her paintings to show the environment where the bird lived.
"I do big works in mixed media and I like to put the bird into its habitat," she said.
"Hers are not fluffy water colours," Phil said.
May recently sold one of her paintings at the Rotary Art Spectacular at the Riverside Centre in April. Her works can be seen on www.maysheppard.com.au
The Old School House Gallery is open 9.30am to 4.30pm Friday to Sunday.