- WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
Jackie Minott (left), chats with Marigold Harding at the opening of her exhibition of paintings, at the Bolivar Gallery, Grove Road, off Half-Way Tree Road on Thursday, March 2.
Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter
A PASSION for flowers has finally bloomed into beautiful works of art.
Marigold Harding opened her first exhibition of flower paintings on Thursday March 3 at the Bolivar Gallery. Family and friends of the Hardings (husband Ossie was for once not the more sought after of the two) and art lovers came to see her work, which has been compiled since she started painting in 2001.
"I always wanted to paint but I never did it. Then in 2000, I don't usually make New Year's resolutions but I said I was going to start," she revealed. So she looked up where art classes were available and enrolled. Her teacher was on hand to see her pupil's work too and she, like everyone else was impressed. Interested buyers peered intently at the pieces while snacking on Best Dressed Foods titbits. Despite the 'flowery' theme of Mrs. Harding's work some pieces depict landscapes and scenery including breathtaking waterfalls. No artificial themes here; just pure nature.
Within less than 20 minutes after the official launch of the exhibition, five paintings were snapped up and we're sure not many will be left by the time the exhibition closes in three weeks time. Not that she worries about the sales. Congratulatory hugs and kisses were plentiful and Mrs. Harding marvelled that persons had already identified favourites.
PAINTING
"I love painting. I don't have any favourites; I love every one of them (her paintings). Each new piece that I start, I learned something from the piece before," she says. Her love for flowers goes way back as she is a renowned florist and she believes this aided her development in painting them. Mrs. Harding explained that working so closely with flowers helps her to know how the leaves of particular flowers are shaped, how they turn and the colours they bear; a definite advantage over the painter with only a casual interest in the topic.
The official opening was short and sweet with Professor Edward Baugh adding a light touch with his poetry.
Dr. Hugh Wynter was full of praise for Mrs. Harding and her work with God's most beautiful creations; flowers.
Speaking of flowers, the first 36 ladies to enter the Bolivar Gallery were presented with anthuriums; the number is symbolic of the 36 piece collection that is on exhibit.
