More than three decades ago they shared a special teacher/student relationship. Long after leaving the classroom behind, celebrated artists Del Cooley from Bundanoon and Canberra’s Caroline Deeble will join forces next month for an eye-catching display of their highly sought after works at Bowral Art Gallery.

Simply titled Recent Works, the week-long exhibition, starting on Wednesday, 17 July, will shine a light on the contrast of Del’s stunning atmospheric works in acrylics and oils together with Caroline’s striking watercolours and mixed media.

Del was an art teacher in Canberra where she taught Caroline at college in the 1980s. All these years later, it’s perhaps no coincidence that they share a similar love of colour, freedom of expression and an intuitive approach to their art.

While differing in styles and mediums, both artists have a shared vision of light, shadow and atmosphere, creating awareness of both the beauty and fragility of our environment.

Del is a local, well established and highly respected artist whose atmospheric works are prized for capturing the mood and beauty of the Southern Highlands. In this exhibition, Del has included paintings inspired by her recent trip to Japan. She is known for her large canvases that immerse you in their world, some might say an alternative to “forest bathing”. 

"While in Japan I was taken by the gardens, which have a greater spiritual quality and purpose. They’re quite mystical," Del said. "The respect for nature in such a heavily populated country is quite palpable."

Both artists share a joy of colour, texture and expressive contemporary interpretations. 

"Like so many who call the Highlands home we’re both inspired by the landscape, nature and environments and that will come through strongly at the exhibition," Del added.

Caroline is an internationally recognised artist who recently returned from Europe (France, Bulgaria, Greece and Italy), where she participated and represented Australia in exhibitions and workshops. 

The exhibition will be open daily from Wednesday, 17 July to Tuesday, 23 July, 10am-4pm.

Opening night: 5.30pm Friday, 19 July @ Bowral Art Gallery, Short Street, Bowral

For more information about the artists and images: delcooley.net and carolinedeeble.com