Artist of local centre overcomes stroke to continue her passion
She has managed to transform her room into her art studio and soon began painting with oils, her favourite medium.
After a stroke paralysed the right side of her body in 2015, Rand Aid Ron Smith Care Centre (RSCC) resident Ethelwynne van Eck continued painting.
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She taught herself to paint with her left hand.
Ethelwynne has always been a passionate painter and art lover. She has sold many oil paintings, mainly still-life and flowers.
“The stroke upset me because I thought I would never paint again,” said Ethelwynne.
A year later she moved into RSCC and decorated her walls with her favourite paintings.
When Rand Aid’s recreation manager Debbie Christen saw them and discovered Ethelwynne was an artist, she spoke to Rand Aid Elphin Lodge retirement village’s art group, which invited Ethelwynne to join them as an art tutor and advisor.
“Although initially reluctant, I went along and met the people. They welcomed me so graciously.
“However, I didn’t just want to tutor other people. I wanted to belong to the group as an artist and be one of them,” said Ethelwynne.
She attended the group weekly and was inspired by the other members’ drawings and paintings.
“I took pencils and a sketchbook and started training myself to draw with my left hand. I started sketching simple shapes and, within weeks, found that I could draw again!”
Encouraged by her achievement, Ethelwynne tried painting in acrylics and watercolours.
She turned a corner of her room into her art studio and soon began painting with oils, her favourite medium.
“I noticed the nursing and domestic staff around me and what struck me was their love of colour.
“This inspired me to paint figures based on their physical features and wearing the bright colours they love,” said Ethelwynne.
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She recently donated some of these paintings to the RSCC’s Woodlands wing and decided where they should be displayed.
While looking through her art history book, Ethelwynne came across cave art pictures which intrigued her.
“I decided to start my ‘Animal and Cave Art’ series, which portrays cattle, horses, rhinos and buffaloes.”
Pictures of Egypt’s history captured her interest next. This inspired her Egyptian series of paintings, with King Tut, Queen Nefertiti and the Queen of Sheba used as subjects.
Ethelwynne was also inspired by the unique beauty of Nguni cattle and has completed several paintings of Nguni cows and bulls.
Her children and grandchildren love these paintings, so she is adding to this collection.
One of the most recent series she has completed is ‘The ladies with fruit’ series.
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“After seven years at RSCC, I have mastered the art of painting with my left hand and am so grateful that my love of and talent for creating works of art has been revitalised. I can confidently pursue my passion once again,” said Ethelwynne.
Ethelwynne said she feels as if she has grown as an artist.
“It is wonderful to be fully involved again, with the one thing that has been my lifelong passion.”
