CONNARD, Judith (Wills) FVAS

CONNARD Judith (Wills) FVAS 20.3.1930 - 17.5.2016 Died peacefully with her family around her after a short illness, aged 86. Loved and loving mother of Jane, Phillip and Timothy and mother-in-law to Norman, Janette and Richard. Devoted Gran to Thomas and Rachel. Wife of Geoffrey (dec.) for 55 years. Her children, grandchildren and love of painting were the centre of her life. As Judith Wills, she began painting in oils at the age of 17 and studied in the Melbourne studio school of A.D. and Amalie Colquhoun for three years after leaving school. She worked as a private secretary at APM and at The Argus newspaper, where she was given studio space within the building, up until its closure. When her children were young, she focussed on studio work, still life and flower paintings. She was a particularly fine rose painter. The destination for family holidays would always be to a picturesque seaside town or fishing port where she would paint `en plein air'. When the family grew, there were many trips to America and Europe with Geoffrey or with other painters, and many works resulted. She witnessed first-hand the works of great masters who had inspired her: Vermeer, Corot, Fantin-Latour. Judith was a member of the Twenty Melbourne Painters Society, Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptors and was a Fellow of the Victorian Artists Society. She was the recipient of a number important art awards, held several solo exhibitions and her work is held in many private and corporate collections. When not painting, Judith was an avid reader of Australian literature and enthusiastic patron of Parkdale library. She enjoyed keeping a keen eye on the local art market and was an active participant in her husband Geoffrey's political career. Intelligent and interesting. Talented and creative. A sensitive soul who will be deeply missed. A private burial has been held in accordance with her wishes