Gena Brodie Robbins

Duality, Abstract Oil Painting

2021

Meryl Watts. English ( b.1910 – d.1992 ) Enigma. Oil On Board. Signed Lower Right. Image size 22.4 inches x 19.3 inches ( 57cm x 49cm ). Frame size 26.4 inches x 22.8 inches ( 67cm x 58cm ). Available for sale; this original oil painting is by Meryl Watts and dates from the mid-1960s. The painting is presented and supplied in its’ original hand painted frame (which is shown in these photographs). This vintage painting is in very good condition, commensurate with its age. It wants for nothing and is supplied ready to hang and display. The painting was created whilst Watts resided at 1 Bron Avon, Borth-y-Gest, Porthmadog. (Today’s postcode would be LL49 9TU). The painting is signed lower right. Meryl Watts was born on the 5th April 1910, the only child of Charles and Evelin Watts. They lived in Germains Place, Blackheath and she was raised in east end of London where her father was a printer. She studied at the Blackheath Art School, where the Principal was John Edgar Platt, one of the major artists using the technique of color woodcut. She learned this technique from Platt and was influenced by his style, as shown in the attractive and colorful designs that she subsequently produced. Meryl began to work independently in 1937, producing her own work while still living in Blackheath. During World War II the family home and business were destroyed by German bombing and Meryl and her parents were given just a few hours to collect whatever valuables they could before their house was demolished to protect neighboroughing properties from further damage. As a consequence much of her early work was lost. Having left their home the family evacuated to Portmeirion in Wales, where they had frequently stayed on holiday before the war. They struck up a friendship with the Portmeirion architect and founder, Sir Clough William-Ellis. Portmeirion was founded in 1925 and took nearly fifty years to complete. It was a homage to Sir William-Ellis’ love of the Italian Riviera and incorporated the grounds of a twelfth century castle. The resort became extremely popular with tourists and was the backdrop for various TV programs and films, including The Prisoner. Meryl Watts became artist in residence at Portmeirion, and over the next few years she produced an abundance of artwork including sketches, oil paintings and watercolors of famous scenes from the Snowdonia coastal region and other traditional landmarks. This was a new and very successful chapter of her artistic career. From Portmeirion Meryl and her parents moved to a rented house in Borth-Y-Gest, Caernarvonshire, North Wales. In 1944 Meryl’s father purchased the house and Meryl began to work there, using the endless views in the area for her inspiration. After the death of her father in 1957 and her mother in 1969 Meryl lived alone in Borth-y-Gest until she married Professor Joseph Allen...

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