LOVETTART - Robert Lovett

Two years have passed since our last newsletter. That was just before our exhibition of Jan. 2008. That exhibition was highly successful. Those of you who attended would have viewed the documentaries of China and India.

We have had an eventful two years for all the wrong reasons. All the time during the exhibition, Joan was feeling unwell. Just a few weeks later she was diagnosed with a terminal illness and only given a matter of weeks to live. The doctors could give her no hope. We were absolutely devastated. Our whole world fell apart. Once we came to terms with the situation, Joan, with her usual determination, embarked on a strict regime of natural therapy, combined with some orthodox treatment. To make a long story short, she made a miraculous recovery. Although not completely cured, she has put on weight, regained her vitality and zest for life.

While Joan was so ill, I was unable to paint. I came to a standstill and have not had another exhibition or exhibited any work at all. Now we are back to normal. I am painting again.

Daughter, Leanne came and took care of Joan while I took a break away in the campervan, painting and revisiting a few of my old haunts in the Snowy Mountains. I came to O’briens Hut up on the main range. It was occupied by six horsemen, sheltering from the bitter cold. They were doing a ten day ride, right across the mountains but decided to quit there, due to the extremely cold weather.

On entering Murray 1 Power Station I was confronted by the five metre long painting across the observation gallery. It is a visual representation of the Snowy-Murray project. I painted it 43 years ago, during my time as official artist to the Snowy Authority, it still appears as fresh as new.

DVD DOCUMENTARIES FOR SALE “Robert Lovett, Artist & Traveller, Oman” A spectacular country of rugged mountains, red deserts, green oases, ancient villages and beautiful harbours. A Stunning documentary, NEW
“Robert Lovett, Artist & Traveller, China”. Robert paints some of the most beautiful parts of China, majestic mountains, pristine rivers and ancient water villages.
“Robert Lovett, Artist & Traveller, India” Take a fascinating trip through Rajasthan and Kerala. Robert paints ancient cities & forts, colourful festivals, the desert people and the Rajput Architecture.
“The Art of Designing Watercolors” Learn how to plan your painting for more dynamic impact. Four demonstrations show the way & the techniques.

All DVDs now available. Go to the DVD page to view the trailers and to purchase.

NEW PAINTINGS With the completion of “Artist & Traveller, Oman”, all of the Oman-Dubai paintings are now on the website, as well as many new paintings. Also be sure to see the new range of prints.

TRAVEL AGAIN Joan has improved so much you wouldn’t know it’s the same person from two years ago. So much so, that we took a month overseas in Canada and USA. We visited relatives in Canada including my son Wayne who, together with his family, migrated to Canada.
	We spent three weeks in Utah where I painted in the beautiful national parks. It was so wonderful to do that when we thought we would never travel again. See those paintings in the website (Artwork page).
Recently I have been teaching workshops again after a long break. My next teaching event is shared with fellow artist, Don Waters, a very exclusive weekend at a beautiful venue in Eumundi.
While in Canada, Wayne took me up North into the wilderness. We spent a few days at Whisky Lake cabin, an idyllic spot with no electricity, no TV & no phone. We just painted, talked, had the odd beer and kept warm at night by the huge log fire. Good for the soul!
Have you ever felt that the years are going faster, that life is slipping by? Well this year 2010 gives me a reality check that this is true. I will turn 80 in November. Eighty!!!! My God! I better get on with all those things I was gonna do. It marks 63 years of painting, 63 years of doing what I love to do. I wouldn’t swap that for any other profession. It’s a great way of life, it has taken me to many parts of the world and given me great satisfaction, not to mention the people I’ve met and the wonderful friends I have made. While I’m in a philosophical mood, you might like to see one of my earliest paintings and me at that time, 1947.	Well that’s enough of the nostalgia trip, I have lots of painting to do
A WORD FROM JOAN Hi! to all my friends. It’s so good to be here. It’s been a bumpy ride for the past two and a half years. An experience like that changes ones perceptions and priorities. What would once get me uptight is now relegated to the trivia basket. The little nice things in life are what’s important, especially my friends and family. During this time I have been blessed with another grandchild (and another on the way) What joy! If you are interested in the details of my recovery, go to www.lovettart.com/Joansstory.htm	Life is great. Every day is a bonus.