Harriet Bernstein feels the Island is a haven for creativity. She has been coming to the Vineyard since she was five years old, moved to West Tisbury permanently in 1997, and now has her first solo art exhibit.

“The Island is just an incredibly safe place and an incredibly safe place to be a strong woman,” Ms. Bernstein said. “With painting, I was just able to be and do without any distraction or criticism.”

Ms. Bernstein’s show opened recently at the Feldman Family Art Space at the Martha’s Vineyard Film Center. There will be a reception on June 30 from 1 to 3 p.m., and the show continues through July 7.

“[My paintings] are dressed up in simple frames and they just look like they are all in their summer camp uniforms having a great time,” she said of the exhibit.

When Ms. Bernstein first sat down to paint her abstract acrylics, she was inspired by Agnes Martin paintings she saw at a New York art show in the 80s. She said the meditative expression and soft pastels reminded her of the ocean. But as she kept painting, she drifted away from pastels towards more vibrant colors.

Every painting in the exhibit has a hint of pink. Ms. Bernstein said she feels pink is the color of love and joy.

“I find people say ‘your paintings are happy,’ which I’m so grateful for,” she said. “I make a conscious effort to be cheerful. I think the world could use as much cheer as possible.”