by Kerry Larsen

One of Port Douglas' most recognised artists, Tania Heben, will showcase her artistic representation of Port Douglas life at an upcoming special exhibition at Cairns Regional Art Gallery.

Tania will team up with 85-year-old Melbourne artist, Anne Marie Graham, to present "Exotic Queensland - The Nature, The Wonder", thanks to the help of a Regional Arts Development Fund grant presented to Tania last year.

Both ladies' oil productions on canvas capture in vivid colour the local flora, fauna, characters, life and times of Far North Queensland.

The Cairns Regional Gallery curated exhibition will run over two months from September 23 to November 20. 

Many people will recognise Tania and her works from her many years of selling her paintings at the Port Douglas Sunday markets.

This year, Tania has set up a gallery and studio in the northern mall of the Meridien Marina, where her works can be viewed and purchased.

Sharing the gallery and studio with Tania is another long-time local artist, Yoshiko Kirby, who has recently hosted a month-long exhibition at the Atherton Regional Gallery.

According to Tania, Yoshiko's strikingly intuitive work visually symbolises the emotional experiences we all encounter on a daily basis, represented in acrylic paint and mixed media.

"I really believe Yoshiko channels the feeling of her subjects," Tania said. "She is very talented."The Atherton exhibition during March saw six pieces sold - a source of income very much needed for an exhibiting artist.

"It's very expensive to hold an exhibition, so I was happy," said Yoshiko, who has been in Port Douglas since 1994

.Both Tania and Yoshiko and their amazing artworks can be seen in their gallery at the Meridien Marina, at the former Telstra shop.  Why not pop down and say hello.