Jerrabomberra artist Jenny Sheppard's latest works pays homage to Queanbeyan to recognise the town's 175th birthday.
QUEANBEYAN'S every face and facet is being immortalised on canvas to celebrate the town's 175th birthday.
Jerrabomberra artist Jenny Sheppard is currently working on the collection of oil paintings which depict a variety of local spots with a few cameo appearances by Canberra thrown in.
She was inspired to explore the two cities and their connection as they honour important milestones this year.
While Canberra has reached a century, Queanbeyan marks 175 years in existence.
Mrs Sheppard has discovered Queanbeyan makes for quite the muse.
"It's a beautiful city, there's a good contrast with the old and new, heritage and modern buildings," she said.
"The main street is a good example of a mixture of the two so I might do a couple of street scenes. I want to record things in their present glory."
Mrs Sheppard is particularly interested in illustrating water so local waterways will be a focal point in the exhibition.
"I love to paint water - I have to going swimming at least a few times a week, I really love water," she said. "I love to paint it the best because you've got the movement and reflection. I don't have trouble with it at all, it's the easiest thing to paint."
Naturally, the Queanbeyan River - in all its moods - will have a starring role.
"I've only just started but there are so many little details that make up Queanbeyan River," she said.
"I'm keen to hear feedback from people because there are so many interesting spots, many that are hard to get to.
"I have just finished two paintings in the White Rocks area. And I didn't know of the Queanbeyan Cascades, just out the back of Googong spillway."
The multi-dimensional character is a place of beauty but can be a ferocious beast at times.
"I wish I took more photos of the flooding earlier this year," Mrs Sheppard said. "It's exciting - the drama of water gushing everywhere. 'Jerra dramas' is what I like to call it."
The 57-year-old displayed a selection of her works as the guest artist at the Queanbeyan Public School Art Show on the weekend.
She hoped the pieces will encourage locals to get out and explore their own backyard.
"There are some really beautiful spots within the town," she said. "If you actually get out of the car and walk around you see a lot of things, so I want to encourage people [through my work] to do that."
Mrs Sheppard said she hoped to complete about 60 works for her yet-to-be-named exhibition to be shown at the end of the year.