Jane and Joel Tonks are in the final stages of preparation for the exhibition which will open next Friday.

It features over 50 paintings, ink and pastels, print making and sketch drawings of unmistakable Australian scenes.

 Mrs Tonks said she is excited about the exhibition.

“We both do realism and representation work ... Joel can do incredible realism, I can hardly believe he can do it,” Mrs Tonks said.

Their exhibition features a melding of bush and beach scenes with Mrs Tonks based in Orange, and Joel in his third year of bachelor of creative arts at Wollongong University.

Despite the differences, they work together to create a harmony that features some of Australia’s unique flora and fauna.

The artists often photograph and sketch a scene they will later paint.

“I take a lot of photos and sometimes I got out and do a lot of sketches,” Joel said.

“It’s escapism, I paint to get back to the holidays.”

They are relaxed in each others company and say they work well together when painting in the studio.

“Our works complement each other, I learnt everything I know from her,” Joel said.

Mrs Tonks said her works provide her with an escape from everyday life.

“I feel really, really peaceful in the natural world,” she said.

“I think Joel and I have a strong affliction with the natural world.

“It’s calming and getting away from the busyness of the world.”

At just 20 years old Joel has already received a number of awards including being selected for the 2009 ArtExpress exhibition. He was also the joint recipient of the 2011 Essential Energy Countryscapes Youth Encouragement Award and won the Slow Summer art competition in 2012.

For Mrs Tonks, she was awarded an Artstart grant through the Australia Council for the Arts in 2012 to establish herself as an artist.

Art director Beverley Allen will be directing the exhibition and has encouraged the public to come along to see the great artworks.

“It’s heartfelt, inspired, colourful Australian landscapes,” she said.

Australian Daydream’s opening is upstairs at the Parkview Hotel on next Friday from 6.30pm.

The exhibition will continue on Saturday, February 9 from 10am to 4pm.

Come along on opening night for the chance to win a lucky door artwork prize.

There will be a range of artworks on sale during the exhibition.

nadine.morton@fairfaxmedia.com.au