SIGNATURE Gallery at Kendal is exhibiting the work of two extremely talented local artists.

Peter Blaskett's Kirkland located art house hosts Diamonds and Rust, a joint show of portrait and figure drawings by Rachel Greenbank and Tim Leeson.

Running from October 10 until November 12, the exhibition's title is taken from a song written by Joan Baez about her love affair with Bob Dylan.

"We both felt it (the title) reflected our different styles and themes perfectly," explains Rachel. "Me high detail, tight, polished, and clean. Tim, totally spontaneous, free, loose and rustic. I love Tim's approach to drawing and was pleased to agree to show my work alongside him."

Over the past few years artist Tim has grown in stature producing some of his best work. He says he has long admired Rachel's skills and drive and asked her if she would like to have a joint show.

Diamonds and Rust symbolises feelings and personal identity covering themes of love, last fear, death and raises questions about sexuality within a visual art context.

Tim - a founder member of Kendal Arts Community - says that his nudes featured in the exhibition are female "but with some male traits."

He describes them as "angular and ungainly rather than curvaceous and alluring and assertive rather than submissive." He adds: "The subjects are in charge of themselves and are firmly in control."

The exhibition showcases a whole new body of work for Rachel: "I've enjoyed putting the paints away and sketching in pencils again," continues Rachel. "The drawings are of women. They're monochromatic with hints of colour and I've merged faces with butterflies, flowers and birds. All symbols of rebirth, innocence, sexuality and fragility, chosen by me because they're perceived to be beautiful, colourful objects and creatures we love to watch and protect."

Much of Rachel's work is inspired by music, song lyrics, nature's gentle hands and the beautiful things in life, love and relationships.

Recently, she undertook an exciting commission for Salford singer songwriter Ren Harvieu. The resulting portrait was used in Ren's poster advertising a gig at Manchester's Deaf Institute.

"I was lucky to get the job really and it happened by chance," adds Rachel. "A few days after we went to a gig of hers in Manchester I saw a selfie she'd posted on her Facebook page and loved it. After asking her permission to use it in a painting I didn't hear a thing. That was until I messaged her a copy of a digital montage late one night, and she replied straight away saying she loved it and would really like to use it on her merchandise sometime in the future."

For further information telephone 01539-730260.