TRISH Preston has a sad water story to tell, and it's a story that needs to be listened to and retold around the Manning Valley.
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"The proposed coal seam gasfields in the Gloucester basin threatens to destroy not only the natural environment with its flora and fauna, but also the human and animal dwellers, agriculture, communities and the very land itself," said Trisha.
"My sad water story is, if the gas fields go in, our water is going to be very, very sad and so are we.
Trisha is currently holding an exhibition at the Manning Regional Art Gallery.
The exhibition, called a Sad Water Story explains the implications caused by coal seam gasfields in a visual and humorous way.
"People have enjoyed the humour.
"While people are laughing they are not frightened.
"Because I find these issues incredibly frightening.
"When I did the numbers for what I would actually need, I went in to shut down and left the whole thing for three months.
"When I came back I checked and re-checked the numbers, because I couldnt believe it, I was so appalled.
Trisha said if she didn't make art about it, her head would explode.
"Art helps me organise my own reaction to things, it came to me there might be a way of speaking to people about the issues,"
Upon hearing that each day in stage one of the gas field, three tonnes of salt would be produced, Trisha had to show others.
"Regardless of all the numbers, and the science and anti-science, we can't deny the effect of seeing three tonnes of salt on anybody,"
Humour comes in to play, with the 'Do-it-yourself Hazard management' video and a cookbook called 'Cooking with Gas'.
Trisha's favourite recipes from the book are glow-in-the-dark blancmange and oysters killpatrick, each use ingredients like local water that has been effected by the gas fields.
"It's really important it's not in our oyster farms, our fisheries and our paddocks.
Trish's inspiration comes from "a deep appreciation for the natural places and spaces of the Manning Valley."
"This natural beauty has been a long term source of inspiration for me.
"I have made it the subject of much of my art for several years.
"Previously my work has focussed on specific elements, such as the landscape and the forest trees, that have given me joy.
"But the profound, irreversible and immediate threat this region faces demands attention."
The exhibition will run until April 12 at Manning Regional Art Gallery.
