So when Brush Rabbit owner Bec Watson was selected to exhibit in last May's Art Vancouver, she knew it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. 

“I was just fantasising and looking up Canadian impressionists and that's how I found Art Vancouver,” Watson said.

“I was immediately really taken with the work that had been in the previous event and I thought ‘that's where I fit in’.”

With the backing of her brother-in-law, the Deloraine artist set about creating 10 new paintings, stepping away from her usual subjects in an effort to bring a tinge of Australiana to the three-day event.

“I do a lot of deers and owls and things which are really popular but I wanted to do something that was really Australian so that's how I chose a theme of (Tasmania’s) Garlic and Tomato Festival.

“Those ones have a white tent kind of theme, but also my work is intended to be ambiguous so when you look at a blurry image - something that has mystery - you don't immediately know what it is and your right brain is forced to make the assessment of it.”

Achieving her initial dream of getting up close with her favourite sub-genre, Watson found art lovers were just as impressed by her work as she was with the work of her fellow exhibitors.

“People really responded well, I was really encouraged by the amount of people who loved the work and said ‘wow this is so different’ - I had a few people who said it was their favourite piece in the exhibition.”

Watson's work is permanently on display at her shop in Emu Bay Road.