Artistic pair love variety

Jodie McLay and Claire McGrail with some of their work. Photo/Stuart Munro

Paintings, prints, drawings, recycled paper magnets, music and books - artists Jodie McLay and Claire McGrail produce all this between them.

And their work will be on display in Ms McGrail's home studio in Gonville during Artists Open Studios Whanganui, which opens today and runs for the next two weekends.

Ms McGrail, who does painting and printmaking and is also a musician and writer, has been part of Open Studios twice before.

"Having a joint exhibition was something I wanted to do," she said.

This will be Ms McLay's first time taking part in Open Studios.

She does painting and drawing.

There is a variety of subject matter in their shared work but birds feature highly, with both artists producing lively portraits of New Zealand native birds.

Ms McLay will also be selling her eye-catching fridge magnets.

Turn them over and you will find the elaborately painted works of art were made out of re-used cardboard boxes.

Ms McLay is a part-time artist who also works part-time.

Ms McGrail is a full-time mum.

Also for sale at the studio will be Ms McGrail's CD of folk music, Lay It Down, and her illustrated book, A Clan of Faeries.

For more information, visit www.openstudios.co.nz.