The latest exhibition at the Red Tree Gallery in Jindivick provides a snapshot look at artwork created by local artist Janine Riches over a 40 year period.
Covering multiple genres and styles, from abstracts to figurative pieces, Janine said her inspiration for the exhibition was to put together a showcase of the different artistic styles she had developed over her 40 years of creating art.
"I've been painting for over 40 years, and in those decades, there's been like a decade of (painting) flowers or landscapes or abstracts, I've sort of gone from a few different styles," Janine explained.
"This exhibition is just a bit of a retrospective of all the different genres and styles I've developed over the 40 years of painting."
Janine's abstract works tend to represent the landscapes around her, using patterns influenced by the patterned wallpaper of the 1960s.
"The patterns are generated from growing up in the 60s with my mum wallpapering the house in pattern all the time," she said. "I focus on the patterns of the 60s and twist a landscape into it."
Janine's figurative artworks feature small figures she calls "my people", influenced by her mother's 1960s style, with an undertone of childlike wonder.
"She was a mum that stayed home and teased her hair in a beehive, wore cute little dresses, and I really was in awe of her," Janine said. "(The pieces) are a bit kidsy but they're very popular and they come from the heart. I've always had a lot of children in my life. Caring for and protecting our children means a lot to me and there's a lot of caring in these little pieces and I think they reach people for that reason.
Janine said she hoped people viewing her art would take away the feeling of caring.
"I always love that people might get something from seeing them," Janine said. "I hope it reaches someone and promotes that feeling of caring and kindness."
Janine's exhibition will remain on display at the Red Tree Gallery for most of September.