Dear Members of RMSBA,
There are heroes in our midst. Many of you know Sheila and Peter Payne. For those of you who don’t know them, I would briefly like to
tell you a little of their story.
Sheila and Peter grew up in London
during the terrible time of World War II. After the war they met, were married
and started a family. Peter worked in construction. For many years, Sheila and
their children, followed him to various construction sites all over the world.
Though Sheila’s father was an artist, and she had always loved art, she
spent most of her years (as many of us did) raising a family and taking care of
others. It wasn’t until she was sixty-years old, with her family grown,
that Sheila had time to focus on her own passion: art.
Living in Malaysia, Sheila started painting watercolors. She painted with a fierce
passion and though she had very little training, she worked hard, and with
her natural talent, she produced some very extraordinary art. She painted what
was around her: the beautiful Malaysian jungles, people, landscapes, seascapes,
boats, Malaysian puppets with their beautiful batik costumes. She painted her
world. Sheila was driven to capture it all!
In the early 2000’s, when Peter retired, they moved to the Denver area to be near one of their
daughters. Sheila enrolled in the School for Botanical Art and Illustration, Denver Botanic Gardens.
Though her health was already failing, Sheila pursued
her love of painting. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, her
hands trembled terribly, she had difficulty walking, yet she still produced wonderful artwork. Peter became her “manager.” He drove her to every class. Sheila became confined to a wheel chair, but still painted, and
Peter supported her in every way, though he also had health problems.
Through some very difficult times, Sheila held on and graduated.
A member of RMSBA for many years, Sheila continued to pursue her artworks and
support the arts. Then two years ago, she had a stroke, and is no longer
able to paint. This was definitely a set-back, but Sheila still has her passion
for art and for life. Even though she can’t produce art anymore, Sheila is allowing
RMSBA to present a retrospective exhibit of her art so that she can
inspire others to pursue their dreams, whatever they may be.
July 16 through August 23
Sheila Payne, A Retrospective
Square Deal Gallery
1460 S. Colorado Boulevard
Denver, CO
Reception: Saturday, July 20, 2013, 4 to 6 PM.
Contact:
If you can help with a donation to defray reception costs,
If you can help
with the reception,
PH: 303.757.4647
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