What a great impression!

Have you ever wondered how painters often interpret a landscape far differently from what we see with our eyes or through a camera lens?

The works of architect Lawrence Buttigieg, which are being showcased at Vee Gee Bee in Republic Street, Valletta until November 15, underscore this impression.

The 22 works feature portraits and landscapes where the artist imbues the paintings with an energy and vitality that make them seem to jump out of the frame.

The highly evident brush strokes bring out the hues and tones that are not seen at first glance when looking at the landscape or the sitter.

"The colours in the landscape are there if one bothers to shut his mind away from mundane things and look at the scene closely," Mr Buttigieg said.

"If, for example, one were to go to San Blas in Gozo on a clear August day, and look for the finer tones that nature comes up with, one will be able to notice a fantastic array of colours," he added.

The landscapes were either done on site or from sketches drawn on the spot.

The flashes of colour add freshness to the landscapes and enhance the character of the sitters when it comes to portraits, he added.

"I have developed this neo impressionist technique with strong brush strokes over the last eight years. The technique is becoming my timbre."

Two artists Mr Buttigieg admires are Pierre Bonnard and his interpretation of light in portraits and Euan Uglow.

Mr Bonnard was a neo impressionist who used bright colours while Mr Uglow was renowned for his meticulous manner in finishing his works.

More paintings by Mr Buttigieg can be viewed at www.aboutlawrence.eu and at www.aboutlawrence.com.