Two local artists who have been creating art alongside each other for 25 years are holding their first exhibition Bits and Pieces at the Collie Art Gallery starting this month.
Fran Dorozenko and Merrilyn Piavanini both decided a while ago that they would like to hold an exhibition of their own, but it wasn't until last year when they decided to make more of a commitment to their art.
"We kind of thought since we have been sitting next to each other for 25 years this year it made a nice reason to do it," Mrs Dorozenko said.
The pair first met in February 1994 at the Collie TAFE where they studied art and design together, before their class suddenly ended.
"We have covered certificate III and certificate IV and we started our diploma before it was cancelled,"Mrs Piavanini said.
"We did a lot of different mediums during that course as far as painting, sculpting, textiles, and print making."
The pair went on to the Collie Art Gallery, where they took lessons from their previous art teacher Trudi Curran.
"We didn't really miss out," Mrs Piavanini said.
"It was probably a good thing because it made us move on and stop and think about having our own exhibition," Mrs Dorozenko said.
Bits and Pieces became the title of the show as it suited the way these two domestic artists work, the environment they work in, surrounded by family and domestic priorities.
Both have four children which created the necessity of working in a chaotic and often very busy space.
Both artists enjoy being able to move between subjects, genres and media.
"We are inspired by the things around us," Mrs Dorozenko said.
"Since I have moved my easel into my dining room ... I can do bits of cooking, bits of cleaning, and bits of art."
The pair both have different artwork with Mrs Piavanini having more paintings and Ms Dorozenko having more collages.
"Our work is completely different but both very colourful," Mrs Piavanini said.
The Bits and Pieces exhibition official opening will be held on June 15, from 4-6pm, at the Collie Art Gallery.
The exhibition will run until July 14. The gallery opening hours are Thursday - Monday from 10am - 4pm.
The National Portrait Gallery exhibition is coming to an end this weekend, June 9.
The annual exhibition shows entries submitted by photographers across Australia. This year 39 photos were selected from more than 3,000 entries.
It reflects the distinctive vision of Australia's aspiring and professional portrait photographers and the unique nature of subjects.
