Kerala captured on canvas

Four artists went on a week-long journey of discovery to the land known as 'God's own country' after having heard of its beauty from the kingdom's large Indian expat community from Kerala.

An exhibition of their paintings is being showcased at the Albareh Art Gallery in Adliya until June 16 after an official unveiling last week by Indian Ambassador to Bahrain Dr George Joseph.

Suzie Baker, Rehana Gardiner, Christine Hawath and Seana Mallen flew to Kerala in February 2009 on an impromptu visit after missing out on a cheap-flight deal which had originally attracted their attention.

Seana said: "We have met so many Keralites in Bahrain and heard so much about their place and despite being unable to pick up those cut-price flights we made up our minds to travel in any case."

The 'sketchbook travellers' as the ladies defined themselves, involved packing their bags and visiting Fort Cochin, the backwaters in Allepey and Cherrai Beach.

After taking sketches they returned home to their studios and began work on the joint exhibition titled '7 days in Kerala'.

Rehana said: "Travelling really feeds and nourishes our work."

Christine, who was enjoying a second trip to the Indian state, fell in love all over again with the backwaters which she explained was perfect for the artistic process.

Suzie explained that the tranquillity was very welcoming and it would be on her list of places to re-visit.

The ladies come from different backgrounds and ages. Seana said: "We represent four decades - from 30 to 60!"

Seana, from the US, is not new to sketching on her travels. She has been a painter for most of her life and has been teaching for the past 20 years. She lives in Awali where she teaches at her AwaliArts school which specialises in figurative arts through drawing watercolour and acrylic.

She says: "I love to teach, it's a great way to meet people. Travel is my passion, and in my sketches and paintings I try to capture some of the feeling of the light, colour and ambience of foreign places I visit. I enjoy humour and often look for the quirky side of a scene, then try to convey this sense of fun in my work."

Suzie moved to the island two years ago from the US and is set to return home shortly.

She said: "I am inspired by the world around me, travel, and the example and camaraderie of other artists."

Christine, from France, has been living in Zinj for five years. She has been conducting oil painting classes at the L'Atelier Art Lounge in Country Mall, Budaiya.

She said: "My paintings are mainly my interpretations of my surroundings, especially during my travel experiences. I am attracted by brightness, light, and vivid colour and these hold a high place in my work. On the trip, what attracted me most were the vibrant colours. Even people wore clothes in lively and bright colours."

Amongst the four, Rehana has been residing the longest in Bahrain. Born in Hyderabad and living in Pakistan after the partition, she lived in London before moving to Bahrain 31 years ago. She lives in Awali with her husband and two sons and is a retired fitness instructor. She said: "This is a very new experience for me.

"After my retirement I began concentrating on my painting and recently took up classes with Seana.

"I feel highly privileged to have been part of this group of established artists."

The ladies get together each week at Seana's studio and paint while assessing or criticising each other's work which they believe is very helpful and allows room for improvement.