Mother and daughter artistic duo take part in record-breaking Bridgewater Lake Art Show

Benetas Bridgewater Lake resident Dorothy Collins and daughter Amanda Russell have bonded over their shared passion for painting over decades.

The pair will submit work for this month’s 13^th Bridgewater Lake Retirement Estate Art Show, which will feature a record 320 pieces by more than 60 artists.

After a year off in 2024, the popular exhibition will return on Saturday 30 August and Sunday, 31 August in the Roxburgh Park estate’s community centre.

Mrs Collins, 80, said the art show was the reason she chose to live at Bridgewater Lake three years ago after submitting work for earlier versions of the event.

She said it was a joy to share the experience with her daughter with the two often sharing ideas and providing feedback on each other’s art.

“It’s great, having something in common. If you’re having trouble, you’ve got someone else there as a sounding board to bounce ideas off,” Mrs Collins said.

The grandmother said she’d been painting since secondary school with oil painting her preference for depicting landscapes, bush scenes and animals.

Mrs Collins said she painted two-to-three times a week from her Bridgewater Lake home with six pieces already submitted for the art show.

Mrs Russell proudly said she got her artistic genes from her mother, while growing up in the family’s Greensborough home.

The 52-year-old will also submit six pieces for the exhibition with her focus on landscapes while painting a wide range of subjects.

“It’s a bonding thing, it’s been great to have mum there as I’ve learnt and better understood my ability and passion,” Mrs Russell said.

She said she was looking forward to the exhibition, if only just to see the smiles and reactions on the faces of those attending.

While not a painter, Mrs Russell’s teenage daughter Jordan had also shown an artistic side focusing on crotchet and music, extending the creative talent to a third generation.

The art show will take place at Bridgewater Lake Retirement Estate, located at 9 Wedgewood Road, Roxburgh Park, between 10am and 3pm on both days.