My earliest connection to the Watercolour Society of Victoria commenced when I first met Morris Callow. He was judging the Toorak Art Show and had awarded me a prize in the wildlife category. Not many people know in my early painting career I was a wildlife artist.

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On meeting Morris he insisted, with his usual endless enthusiasm, that I must join what was then, the Australian branch of the London Old Watercolour Club. I was in my early thirties and attended my first meeting wearing my leather jacket and had long hair. Nobody would sit next to me! However, I persevered because all the current doyens of the Melbourne watercolour scene attended including Kath and Stan Ballard, Robbert Miller, Reg Cox and others; and of course, Bob Wade.

 

Bob became a great mentor and friend who always encouraged my watercolour journey. After the meetings, a group of us would retreat to the ‘Pizza by the Metre’ restaurant, now long gone, and talk art. I was eager and hungry for knowledge about art, which at that time, was only available in a few books and American magazines. There was no internet or online connections.

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This membership changed my life from a solitary existence in my makeshift studio and it introduced me to plein air painting.  I can say that was a fundamental turn in my career.  Friendships grew as we painted at numerous locations, exchanged ideas and learned from each other with friendly advice or criticism.  My artistic skills flourished, I will forever remain thankful to the connections and memories of the people at the WSV who helped grow my career from its infancy to its current success today.

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It is indeed my great privilege and pleasure to follow Bob Wade in the role of Patron of the Watercolour Society of Victoria.