Wendy Cromie has opened an art exhibition of her Killyleagh water colours in the Sir Hans Sloane Centre in Killyleagh
Friends, family and admirers of Killyleagh artist Wendy Cromie gathered for the opening of her latest exhibition in Killyleagh’s Sir Hans Sloane Centre in High Street last Friday evening (13th September 2024).
The collection of 23 watercolours lit up the exhibition area as guests at the launch mingled and admired the colourful watercolours of scenes from around Killyleagh.
Wendy said:”I’m basically a self-taught artist. I’ve captured familiar scenes from around Killyleagh from the town itself and Strangford Lough.
“I live right next to the Lough in the town and enjoy its different moods and colours that unfold each day.
“Having retired from working at Down High School three years ago, I now have more time on my hands to enjoy and develop my art.
“I can remember I enjoyed art when I was young at school but it was my friend Christine who encouraged me to go along to a local art club. It all took off from there.
“Now I’m also a member of Downpatrick Art Society. But it was back in 2006 when my mother passed away that I decided to paint Christmas cards again with Killyleagh scenes to support Marie Curie Cancer Care.
“These Christmas cards were very popular for a number of years but as the cost of posting increased, people hardly post cards anymore like they did years ago, so I concentrated more on my paintings.”
Wendy explained that her main subject area is Killyleagh itself and that she really enjoys interpreting the various scenes. Certainly her use of colours and management of light is very skilful throughout this collection.
Like Romantic English artist John Constable who never travelled more that 9 miles from his home, Wendy has for the moment settled into her ‘Killyleagh period’ depicting scenes from the area she loves best.
“There is so much to take in around Killyleagh. It is just marvellous and the light quality is great too. I have done a few bespoke paintings for people but by and large I focus on my home town.”
You can view Wendy’s delightful collection of 23 watercolour originals at the Sir Hans Sloane Centre – some are available to buy as prints and are all very reasonably priced.
The exhibition is running until the end of the month in the Sir Hans Sloane Centre in High Street in Killyleagh from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm.
So why not call in and check up on the Wendy Cromiewatercolour exhibition and also find out more about one of Killyleagh’s greatest historical characters, Sir Hans Sloane ?
