An exhibition by local artists Helen and Leon Pappas called Thread and Line, is showing at the Benalla Art Gallery shop for the month of July.

Helen and Leon are a creative couple who have a mutual fascination with colour, shape, line and the human figure.

Through their different mediums the couple explores people they know, imagine or pass by; and abstract patterns.

Helen works in miniature textiles creating embroidered buttons, while Leon makes expressive drawings.

Sometimes, working as a team, Leon will create and draw artwork that Helen replicates onto her buttons.

Helen discovered her love for embroidery as a teenager, but it was finding a worn, beautifully embroidered button that truly sparked her fascination with embellishing buttons.

This passion has continued to develop over time, and she has since embroidered over 580 buttons.

Helen sells her pieces featuring portraits and abstract creations through the Victorian Button Collectors Club and to private collectors.

Originally from Greece, Leon immigrated to Australia in 1959, developing his passion for art through formal studies at Prahran College of Technology and Monash University.

Under the guidance of renowned mentors Max Middleton, Ernest Vogel, and Dawson McDonald, he honed his skills, eventually debuting at Kew Gallery in 1968.

Leon has exhibited at venues such as the World Art Gallery, St Kilda and Windeyer Gallery, Toorak.

Now living in Baddaginnie, Leon contributes to the local artistic community through his involvement with the Benalla Broken River Painters and U3A, where he generously shares his expertise.

Thread and Line can be seen at the Benalla Art Gallery shop during July, with works available to purchase.