Christmas Bells

Christmas Bells
Christmas Bells - Blandfordia nobilis

Sunday, June 01, 2008

Mary Whatman's "Land and Sea" Exhibition

Today Mary Whatman's Exhibition at the Fettlers' Shed Gallery was opened officially. It is called "Land and Sea". Visitors were welcomed by Steve Carey, the President of the Robertson Heritage Railway Station Inc. under whose auspices the Fettlers Shed Gallery operates.
Lovely paintings painted in a remarkably short period of time. Apart from two paintings from a long time ago, all these paintings have been done by Mary in the last two years.

Mary grew up in Sydney, but she married Bruce Whatman 31 years ago.
Bruce is a Kangaloon boy, through and through, although he has lived at the far south coast for many years. He suffered a medical problem with his back, many years ago. He was told he might never walk again, but fortunately he found a chiropractor who was able to treat his condition. Along the way, he has owned a pub in Bega, run trucks and today he owns an oyster lease.

Mary has suffered a lot of ill health in recent years, but it has given her an opportunity to get into her painting seriously. And clearly there is a long-buried talent there. Her paintings are mostly of water scenes, and trees. But some were of typical Blue Mountains scenery.

The Exhibition was launched by Cedric Schofield, a Kangaloon resident, and Bruce Whatman's brother-in-law. Cedric and Bruce grew up as neighbours. It is good to see that they have managed to bring Mary's work "back home" for an Exhibition locally.
Her work is on display at the Fettlers' Shed and also at the CTC@Robertson.

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