Somerville: Exhibition by Mary Ann Fox, Helen Watts, Catherine Wallace

Next date: Thursday, 28 August 2025 | 11:00 AM to Monday, 06 October 2025 | 11:00 AM

Feature image: Foral Majesty (delete scenes) by artist Mary Ann Fox

An exhibition showcasing the individual works of three friends exploring the interplay of abstraction and realism. Though distinct in approach, the works share a common thread: a celebration of the fragmented moments that shape who they are, showcasing their individuality, perception through form, colour, textured layers and love of nature.

Artist Profile - Mary Ann Fox

Art has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, sparked by my father’s love for painting and drawing. From cartoons to oil paintings, his creativity was my first inspiration.

As a child, I drew with anything I could lay my hands on, often sketching and creating fashion models. One of my early highlights was winning a competition in Diana magazine. At thirteen, I completed my first oil painting, guided by my dad -a girl in profile- but as life took over, my artistic pursuits were set aside for many years.

I returned to art in my late 50s after a conversation with a client about retirement. I told them, ‘When I retire, I will paint,’ to which they replied, ‘What are you waiting for?’ Those words changed my life. Soon after, I started oil painting under a wonderful artist named Peter Petruccelli and his wife Mary at their studio in Beaconsfield. This relationship lasted many years. Sunday painting lessons became the highlight of my week providing the technical foundation that allowed me to grow as an artist.

Since then, I have dedicated myself to refining and expanding my skills across multiple media, including charcoal, acrylics, pastels and watercolours. My work blends realism with humour and the unexpected, creating a visual dialogue that aims to be both thought provoking at times and delightfully surprising at others.

While I love to paint nature and people, I find just as much joy in capturing landscapes and still life. Colour plays a vital role in my work, shaping the mood and narrative of each piece. When I paint, I escape into another world, completely lost in the process.

Inspired by artists such as Robert Knight and Edward Szutter, my work reflects a deep appreciation for both the natural world and the human experience. Through my paintings, I aim to celebrate the beauty of life and invite the viewer to see the world through a new lens.

Website: Mary Ann Fox Fine Art

Artist Profile - Helen Watts

"Wow Grandma, you’re good at art and you’re over 50"

Helen embarked on her artistic journey later in life. A self-taught artist, she explores various mediums, with a particular affinity for watercolour. Creating within her studio nestled on a serene one-acre property, she draws her inspiration from the surrounding natural beauty. This environment fosters an innocent portrayal of nature in her work.

For her, art embodies the Yin – passive and reflective While life represents the Yang – active and dynamic. Embracing the belief that "everything you can imagine is real."

Artist Profile -Cathy Wallace

Cathy Wallace is a Mornington Peninsula based artist who has been represented in solo and group exhibitions and as a finalist in a national exhibition. Her work has been sold internationally.

Working in a range of media – painting, ceramics, printmaking and textiles, the works combine realism and semi abstraction.

Incorporating nature and a personal resonance of the energy of a time, place or memory are present in many works.

Instagram: cathywallace_artist