The beauty of Bermuda's recurring scenes on canvas

Artist Otto Trott has spent the last two years capturing such moments for an exhibition of his work that opens at Masterworks today.

Motifs of Place is the first solo show by the respected artist since 2007. It comprises predominantly oil paintings, most of which have never been seen before.

Mr. Trott said: “I have painted everything from a punt down in Mullet Bay and a dinghy in Bailey’s Bay to a glass bottom boat in Dockyard.

“I have pictures of longtails, one of a great egret in flight and a snowy egret wading in the water. They are things you see all over the island.

“Another one is of somebody putting slates down on a roof — you can still the framework. It was complicated to paint and took patience.”

Mr. Trott has also included Bermuda’s vegetation, with garden scenes full of flowers.

He believes that while Bermuda is trying to attract tourists with new hotel developments, people should remember that the beauty of the island’s natural environment is one of our biggest selling points.

His exhibition aims to remind us that man can live in harmony with his natural surroundings.

He said: “A lot of people talk about gaming and new hotels but it is important to let people know how beautiful it is here.

“Today it is a beautiful day and I don’t know how many people are even here. Our beauty should be pushed, not neglected.”

There will be between 20 and 30 paintings on display and all of them are for sale.

The show opens at 5:30pm this evening and runs until April 27. The gallery is within the Botanical Gardens, at 183 South Road and is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm.