It has been two years in the making but, finally, two South Lakeland artists will showcase their work in a joint exhibition celebrating still life painting.

Kate Bigland, of Overton, near Kirkby Lonsdale, and Michael Jenkin, of Underbarrow, have joined forces for the exhibition at the Brewery Arts Centre's Warehouse Gallery which starts tomorrow (Saturday) and ends on April 1.

The two readily admit they do not know what the viewing public will think of their work, which tenderly explores the naked female form and elegantly portrays lush and vibrant flowers with charcoals, pencils and oil paints.

Both have been painting for some time and are well established within the Kendal venue and the vibrant local art scene.

The untitled exhibition presents the fruits of months of hard work by the two, who say painting the human figures poses the most challenges.

"The human figure has incredible complexity within it it is an inescapable mystery encompassing beauty and individuality while becoming a landscape in its own right," said the two last week as they started preparing the exhibition.

For Kate it is the first return to exhibiting at the Brewery since her display of nudes was removed from the centre's Green Room restaurant two years ago because they were deemed "unsuitable".

She is hoping its inclusion in the Warehouse Gallery will still cause a stir but not in the same way.

"It was very contentious at the time," said the associate member of the Green Door group of artists who has "fiddled with art on and off" since attending art college in Leeds 35 years ago.

But the human form is a great inspiration for her work.

"I love drawing the human form because it's a challenge - if you can do that then you can do anything.

"My painting is slow but it's magic doing it, this business of the eye connecting with the hand is truly wonderful."

The exhibition comes at a time when drawing and painting is undergoing a renaissance following decades of domination by conceptual art.

"Painting and drawing has been out of fashion for the last 30 years and conception art has taken over, but painting is just starting to come back," said Michael, who has taught geography and art at schools in Scotland, Canada and Oxford, and, closer to home, has helped students at Kirkbie Kendal School.

Michael, who owns a farm in Underbarrow, returned to art five years ago when he gave up a demanding administrative job.

With a couple of exhibitions under his belt, including a contribution to one exploring the aftermath of foot-and-mouth disease, the associate member of Green Door and Silverdale 7 is looking forward to his latest venture.

"We are both very grateful to the Brewery for exhibiting our work. Most of the work is done through here because of the life drawing classes that are held," said Michael, who has passions for sculpting, carving and photography.

"It's difficult to say how it will be received in the end the result is a very personal and subjective view.

"The hope is that these images will strike a chord with some people."