Maria Heaton’s Annual Art Exhibition and Sale

Whether you’ve experienced her spectacular Annual Exhibition and Sale or not... December is the time of year Maria Heaton works toward all year!

“My work is always about the light “ Maria says, “and this year is no different. I fnd light so fascinating! “

Anyone who spends time with Maria soon realises that observing light and shadows is Maria’s constant occupation. “ you cannot paint until you learn to see and observe tone and colour. I have taught many forms of art for over 35 years and sharing knowledge is rewarding “

A versatile artist with nearly 40 years of experience and experimentation under her belt, Maria explores the gift of light in her rich landscapes, seascapes and still life paintings. Always inspired by her beautiful garden, Maria can be found painting vases of fowers backlit by the sun or early morning light fltering through the trees on a crisp autumn morning, the dappled light through rainforest trees beside the creek near her home or epic landscapes painted after her travels.

What began as a hobby in the early 80’s has become a lifestyle. Once a regular at local markets and then for 2 years Maria ran her own gallery. At one stage “i was holding 6 classes a week and painting and running the gallery. I got a little burnt out “ she says.

Most recently her achievements have been a second prize (Highly Commended for a painting called “First Light in Tenterfeld “) at the 2023 Bentley

Art Prize and a Highly Commended at the Tursa Art Prize in Lismore for a sunrise over the beach painting called “In the Moment “

Sat 2nd & 3rd DEC and Sat 9th & 10th Dec Visits during the week are also welcome by appointment Ph 0438867564

Here I was, keeping my mind in focus relative to my words for this week. (‘Leemo Cat’ here.) I was, much to my annoyance, thrown o my train of thought by interruption from ‘Mum Jane’. (Aaargh!) ‘Leems my boy, you’re sitting with one front paw resting against your forehead looking like an ugly imitation of that sculpture ‘ e inker’ by Auguste Rodin. What’s the story?

(OMG, what I have to tolerate from her is unbelievable.) ‘Mum, DON’T intrude again; I’m thinking deeply about stu I wish to use in my writing; you are nothing but a bother so go away; make chutney, a cake or rake leaves or something. Gottit?’ Well, naturally, she can’t help herself, she interrupted AGAIN! ‘Leems, what are you writing about?? Tell me, c’mon!!’ OMG!

‘DAMMIT, I’ll tell you Mum, but ONLY if you stop bloody annoying me. Firstly, I’m writing about life and what it’s all about.’ (of course, she HAD to butt in again.)

‘Oh, easy peasy Leems; life is truly just one ginormous, generally unplanned escapade. At times it will be joyous & exciting, full of fun & anticipation & laden with happiness; other times it will be fretful and worrisome; other times it will be sad & emotionally painful.

BUT, as long as you try to comprehend each day and learn some tiny thing from it whilst you can, life must be treasured, each and every minute of it Leems. So why don’t you tell me what you’ve learned from your life so far?’ (You will have noted, she just asked me a question; e.g., ANOTHER interruption!) My razorsharp perception told me that the sooner I responded, the sooner she would rack o Hmmmm! ‘OK Mum, sit down, listen, and DON’T chime-in whilst I’m speaking. (YIPPEE, she did!) I, as a cat, in essence, think about the normal needs of life such as hunger, thirst, my need for your care, brushes and a ection, and my desire to play, frisk & sleep heaps. However, it has been determined by Scholars that the mind of a cat is a completely unfathomable mystery, so quit psychoanalysing me Mum ‘cos frankly, I’ve quit trying to work YOU out. I’ve learned much in my 70 years. As an example; I have learned that living with you is a daily conundrum. I review our days together & try to learn from them. On the other side of the coin Mum, YOU have also learned much from me. (I observed a slightly AMAZED querying rise of her eyebrows but, give credit, that her big mouth stayed shut; but did become ‘pursed’.)

So, Mum, straight to the core, over the years, I’ve ‘learned’ to train you in stu ; like always providing a CLEAN bowl for my every treat. How to alert you to le -over’s in my litter box. How to wake you when I’m hungry. How you can rescue me when storms are in the sky and I’m scared; How to be huggled in a warm blankie. How to sing to me properly & how to get ‘Bluey’ on our TV for me.’ I do believe I heard a most mega exasperated sigh from her, followed by her words ‘you APPEAR to have TOTALLY missed the point of my query Leems’ so I’m going to rake leaves.’ Goodie, I can back to my writing. Nitey, Leemo with bemused purrsies. (and hugs to Mum’s new friend Shirley who she met whilst discussing the price of grapes & stu !)