T.A.S. Newsletter

Autumn 2005 Volume 3 No. 2 Page 4

GLENNIS COURTNEY

Treasurer

Glennis learnt to paint in Zimababwe - sometimes painting with friends around the pool in her garden. She prefers to paint with music playing in the backgound. When painting commissions, the sitter has the choice of the music and the colours used in the painting.

Ashurst is a long way from Harare, but Glennis is already capturing the English landscape, as visitors to the Summer Exhibition will have seen. Since becoming Treasurer in June, Glennis has been efficient and enthusiastic, managing the Summer Exhibition finances most effectively. We are grateful for the time that she gives to the Society and wish her every success with her art.

Di Alexander T.A.S. Editor

REG WHITING

Profile of Founder Member

I was about 15 at Taunton's School when a new art master joined the staff and it was he who really started my enthusiasm for drawing and painting. In 1926 I received the school prize for art: the complete works of Shakespeare which I still have! I joined the RNVR in 1938 and into the Navy on Sept. 10th 1939. I spent time in various Mediterranean ports, Madagascar, Mombasa, North Africa, Sicily and Italy. I was in India and Singapore after the atom bomb and Japan surrendered. During all this time, there was a forces newspaper called Blighty, printed rather crudely and I put in a few cartoons. I only remember one titled 'Naval Greetings'!

After nine months on Lord Louis Mountbatten's staff (as a very junior officer) I came home with a Japanese sword and a signed card from Lord Louis. On the troopship coming home, I met a WAAF on board and married her (I still have her after nearly 60 years so I don't think I will change her now!!) Back in Southampton I joined an evening art class in Totton. This included life classes. The models were housewives earning a bit of 'pin money'. I was taken aback one day in Debenhams when I was served by one of the life class models. She looked quite different in clothes!

We moved to Totton and several of us in the evening class started an art society, the first in the district. We held an annual exhibition in the hall that was over the council offices until the council expanded and we were moved to our present place in the Community Centre. We had 20 members in the first year and this increased each year. I was Chairman at the start and continually tried to set a replacement which did not happen for many years. (So be warned Anne Hamerton!!)

I now enjoy the TAS meetings and the friendly members. I find that after 60 years of serious art, there is always something to learn, even if an 'old hat' like me does not always agree with the work done by a few of the demonstrators. To get new ideas for a demonstration must be most difficult, So many thanks to all the Committee.

REG WHITING

Reg Whiting in 1942