community*
The art of ageing
WELL
MENTION THE NAMES OF OUR WONDERFUL NORTH COAST NONAGENARIAN ARTISTS THELMA BUZZARD AND VAL WILSON, AND YOU’LL GET A BROAD SMILE, HEAR A GREAT STORY. GREEN GALLERY IN MOUNT EDGECOMBE RECENTLY HONOURED THE TWO WITH AN EXHIBITION, WRITES ANNE SCHAUFFER
T
helma Buzzard is 97; Val Wilson 90. Wonderful artists both, they’re still painting and accepting commissions. Age really is just a number. Norman Rockwell, illustrious illustrator of the 20th century, suggests: “The secret
to so many artists living so long, is that every painting is a new adventure. So, you see, they’re always looking ahead to something new and exciting. The secret is not to look back.” Thelma paints every single day, normally by 9am; in the corner, an easel, layered with works in progress. She
doesn’t only paint, she’s still wildly curious about artists and techniques, so there’ll be an art book there too. Thelma grew up with Victorian parents who didn’t consider university or a career fitting for a young lady. No art at Eshowe High School either: “Neither did my husband Eric want me to
work. In those days, music trumped art …” Thelma was undaunted though. Her mother always took her to watercolour exhibitions, and she became increasingly interested: “I entered the Royal Show in Durban, and won first prize,” she grins. But she really wanted to study art: “When art teacher Wendy Amm wanted to stop teaching, and suggested I’d be a good replacement for her classes, I saw an opportunity.” And so began Thelma’s highly successful teaching career, the classes enabling her to save up for and study art at Tech, UNISA, and head off for an annual art retreat to the ’Berg: “When you’re in a group, you always take a little bit of everything from everyone, and gradually your own style evolves.” Thelma’s reputation as a teacher
ABOVE: Thelma Buzzard. LEFT: Pretty flower paintings by Thelma.
30
w w w . t h e r i dg e o n l i n e . c o . z a
