Ronald Coudrey

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Artist and Author

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this photo c 1987

Ronald Coudrey was my Art Tutor

Hello Geoff and family

I came across your website whilst doing research for my own website ... and it was a delight to see pictures of Ron and Laurel

When I was eighteen years old I worked at Camden Art in Rundle Street Adelaide
I was an aspiring artist and was introduced to Ron
He kindly took me under his wing and I visited him and Laurel often ( 1972 / 1973 ) to have lessons in watercolour
The lessons were at a studio some where but I also visited their home

Laurel very kindly offered to sew a bridesmaids dress for me which I needed ... it was bright red and she did a lovely job

They always treated me so kindly and I loved visiting them

Ron also took me to the City Art Society which I joined and it was a very important and life changing move for a young girl

I was always so thankful to Ron, who was a great teacher, concise and clear

One day, after about six weeks, he said to me ... "Right, that's enough ... I have taught you all the methods I can ... now go and paint"

I travelled up to the Flinders Ranges with City Art members, over one Easter break ... I think Ron was there too
It was a great time ... lots of painting in a new landscape

My name was Kathy Whiteman then and I have been painting all this time, with a lot of thanks to Ron

I am just about to launch a website under the name, Kathy Pollitt
http://kathypollittpaintings.com.au/......( note from Geoff - web site not active as at Wednesday 18th September 2012 )

You may see some resemblance to Ron's work in some of my art

Anyway, thank you for putting Ron's information on the internet
It really made my day and I wanted to share with you just how much Ron helped me, and probably many others

Kind regards ... Kathy

Hello Kathy

What a fantastic letter and memory for Sharon's Family to have

I have sent it on to, naturally, my wife Sharon, Ron and Laurel's daughter, along with all her brothers and sisters
They will probably remember you
I am sure they will make contact ... and I bet they all check your web site !! ... and GOOD LUCK with that !!

I am glad our web site brought back these memories for you

Regards ... Geoff

Hi Kathy

I am so glad you came across our website
It was lovely to read the nice words you had to say about our Mother and Dad

I know Dad was always happy to help young artists

His children did not follow in his footsteps when it came to painting, although I think we are all artistic in other ways

Mother and Dad are long gone now but reading your email brought back some lovely memories for me

It is nice to know that Dad's influence has helped your artistic career ... and I will certainly be checking out your website

Regards ... Sharon

Hi Lesley

Do you know or remember Kathleen ??
I don't remember her ... but I think I was busy being sixteen / eighteen years old !!

Nice to know Dad was able to help her

Talk to you soon

Love ... Sharon

Hallo Geoff

I just this morning saw your site with my correspondence and paintings on it
That is lovely of you and I am glad you shared it

My website has come to a grinding halt due to things beyond my control ... I hope it will soon be resolved

Meanwhile, if you would like any images, I could send you some ??

I hope the weather is fine in Cairns ... we are having a lovely autumn here, near Toowoomba

Kind regards ... Kathy

And good morning to you

I am very glad that you like the way the above page turned out and it's nice to have the information all together for future reference

Yes, it would be great to have copies of your work ... and as many as you would like to send !!

With images, I usually upload them with a maximum width of 1000 pixels and a maximum height of 800 pixels
I have found that these sizes display perfectly on most laptops without having to use the 'up/down' and 'left/right' scroll bars
If they are larger than this, just send them "as is" and I'll do the adjusting ... no problems

Also include any names or dates or other information about each painting

A shot of yourself would also be nice to have with these !!

Yeh, setting up and maintaining a web site can be a hassle at times
I have been with a USA based company since 2001
Their name is POWWEB and click HERE for their web site ... their service and reliability are perfect ... and their pricing is terrific
Our site is huge, with almost 115,000 photos and files
Even for this amount of web space, the total per year is only $120.00 whereas if we used a company like BigPond, it would be around $1000.00 !!

Sharon and I haven't experienced an "autumn" for around thirty five years now !!
Here it is either The Wet or The Dry ... and it is always Hot ... but we would never move away !!

All the best and I look forward to receiving the photos

Regards ... Geoff

Hallo Geoff

Thanks so much for the offer of putting some of my paintings on your site
I am very flattered !!
I will sort some for you but they may need adjusting at your end
They are all different sizes and I am not an expert
I will just send a few at a time, due to the sizes

I am currently doing more pure watercolours (Ron would be pleased) so will send them as soon as possible

Today I had a visit from our friend, Len Coonan, who will soon be able to complete our website
We talked about doing links with yours
Would that be okay ??
His email is len.coonan@gmail.com

Yes I can send a photo of myself as well, probably out painting

Thanks again for your interest

Kind regards ... Kathy

Hi again

The photos are no problem ... just send them when you're ready and I'll make the adjustments

Don't forget your photo, along with dates, titles and any other information on each painting that you would like included
It's going to be a nice presentation

Now, in respect to linking to our site ... sure, go ahead
BUT you also have the okay to copy any photos, text or other details that you would like to include on your own site
Whichever way you and Len decide to go ... it is perfectly alright by us

JUST INTERESTED

Back in November 2012 and again in March this year, I sent out links to Ebay Auctions for this portfolio
Just as a matter of interest, do you have a copy ??
It is a terrific collection of his work

YOUR POSTAL ADDRESS
I want to send you something so I need your address
What is it ??
Don't ask because I am not going to tell you !! ... a surprise !!

Regards ... Geoff

Good morning Geoff

This is all so kind of you
It really reminds me of Ron and Laurel's generous spirit

Thank you for the permission re the links and using other info from your site ... I will pass that on to Len, who will be in touch

No, I don’t have a copy of any of Ron's work
I was earning $27.00 a week in those days at Camden Art Center, and after rent and food, I used the rest of my pay on art lessons, framing and supplies
Mind you, Ron was very generous and allowed me to use his best quality materials, "so I would get a feel for them"

I only learnt of the books of Ron's work recently, through your site
It really takes me back to being in his studio and I should get hold of one

My partner John Reeve, also an artist, and I plan to be grey nomads in a year or two ... we must look you up if /when we are in Cairns

Anyway it is another lovely autumn day here, but I am sure it is great where you are too
I spent three months in Cairns in the 1980's ... and it was fantastic !!

My address is 13 Tower Crescent Gowrie Junction QLD 4352

Cheers for now and have a good weekend

Kathy

Hallo Geoff and Sharon

We have just looked at the DVD you very kindly sent
Thank you so much
I did not know of this video and it was certainly a trip back to Ron's studio
It was very kind of you
I may even pass it on to one of my students

I am working on the images to send to you ... I want to include the latest watercolours I have done

Many thanks ... Kathy and John

. CLICK HERE for more information on Kathy along with examples of her work