They find themselves in an idyllic setting ripe with natural inspiration to serve as their muse.

Four Pender Island artists will convey their collective love for nature and the island they call home as part of Coming Up for Air, Rocks, Trees and H2O, an exhibit running through Sept. 24 at Port Coquitlam's Leigh Square.

Featuring artists Wendy Simmonds, Pat Jobb, June Malaka and Frances Sevier, the exhibit includes a variety of mediums, including acrylic and watercolour painting, fine art printmaking, stained glass and mixed media.

"We are continually in awe of the range of ways in which the natural world reveals itself - from calm and gentle tide changes and the rustle of leaves in a slight breeze to the violence of storms and fires, or the ruggedness of our rocky foundation," the group said in a press release.

Simmonds' works have appeared in galleries throughout the south coast, with her first group show taking place in 2002 at the FCA Gallery on Granville Island. Known for her use

of colour and shading, Simmonds blends texture with vibrant natural tones.

Jobb's foray into the arts began in printmaking in the late 1980s, while today her calling finds her immersed in both collagraphic printmaking and drypoint etchings. Her etchings are based primarily on her sailing trips around the waters of Pender Island, and have been shown at both juried shows and international printmaking exhibitions.

Malaka, on the other hand, dabbles in many forms including glass, mosaic, watercolour and acrylic, with a focus on forest and marine environments. She has recently transitioned into creating mosaic pieces, while also trying her hand at acrylic paintings.

A native of California, Sevier's passion lies in the water, whether it be puddles, streams, lakes or oceans. Her take on the natural world is different than that of traditional landscape artists, and she prefers employing unusual perspectives and abstract techniques.

To check out the exhibit, visit Leigh Square, located next to City Hall in Downtown Port Coquitlam. There is no charge for admission.

LIBRARY HOSTS ECLECTIC PAINTING DISPLAY

For Caroline Beutler, setting brush to canvas represents a little piece of freedom.

A retired teacher and now a full-time painter, Beutler's works serve as the focus of the September exhibit at the Port Moody Public Library.

Working predominantly in oil, Beutler focuses on natural settings, landscapes and animals.

Examples of Beutler's works can be seen by logging on to www.carolinepaints.ca, while the library's hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays.