Tulips and nudes

Life figure drawings and portraits, plein air and studio paintings by Anna Galea produce a mesmerising effect at Shisha World Cuisine Restaurant and Lounge Bar in Marsascala where they are being exhibited until the end of this month.

There are 26 paintings in oil, acrylic, watercolours and charcoal, including 10 nudes. The nudes, she says, are spontaneous 10-minute poses where you just paint the essential by avoiding a lot of detail, so they are fresher.

"The paintings drawn in the open air include among others a Chinese Garden and Binġemma. Together with a group of friends, we go on site and capture the spirit of the place.

"In such instances, you become more adventurous and paint what you feel. This is a process you get to through practice.

"The plein air paintings drawn during the last couple of years are impulsive, freer in style and more vibrant and colourful.

"I really enjoyed doing these. Some verge on the abstract. Although, personally, I do like abstraction, I feel an artist cannot force this upon himself. The style has to evolve naturally. Although, having said that, I can also do that at the studio, that is not painting exactly what I see." The studio paintings, Ms Galea added, are a challenge. They involve a lot of preparatory work, sketching both in composition and tone. These are mostly watercolours and, in order to keep the whole painting translucent, it is like playing a chess game - everything has to be planned ahead as the watercolour medium does not allow for second thoughts or mistakes!

Part of the proceeds will be in aid of The Mission Fund.

Shisha World Cuisine is located next door to Sun City Cinema.