About 30 years ago, Janice Webster became tired of waiting for her husband Robert to come home from golf.
“Because he took up golf, I wanted to do something as well,” Mrs Webster said. “I tried to get into the patchwork classes but the days didn’t suit me, so I joined the artwork classes.”
And the love affair with painting began.
The Bacchus Marsh resident now sells, teaches, co-ordinates the Allawah Arts group and exhibits, with the group’s latest artwork on display at the Moor Art Space at Lerderderg library.
The grandmother of nine, who was “a jack of all trades and a master of none”, has finally mastered the delicate technique of watercolour painting, which she says constantly challenges her.
“I started with oil paint and then moved onto pastel, which was very easy.
“Watercolour was the last challenge for me – I think I’m quite proficient now but it’s still a challenge and that’s what keeps me going.”
The group, comprising Alan and Kay Lindsay, Shirley Thomas, Kaye Smith and Linda Oomes, meets every Thursday at Mrs Webster’s backyard art studio.
“I don’t know where the passion came from,” Mrs Webster said. “I longed to have beautiful paintings and now I have too much.”
You can view and purchase the group’s artwork from 8.30am-5pm Monday-Friday and 10am-4pm Saturday, until the end of November at 215 Main Street, Bacchus Marsh.
