One-Woman show thrills local artist
‘Marianne – a One-Woman Show’ opens at Heritage Home for the Arts
BY KIM LANGEN
After 20 years of painting her heart out, a local artist is being featured in her own one-woman show.
Marianne Boulet, a well-known hairdresser and musician, said she was thrilled, and slightly terrified, after being asked to fill the walls of the new arts centre with her colourful paintings.
“I never thought I would be doing a one-woman show,” said Boulet. “The local library asked me to do a display in the summer, and they put some photos of my paintings on Facebook. And I started getting calls. Then Jane Ireland was getting her hair cut, and she kind of made me agree to host a one-woman show. I can’t believe I’m here hanging paintings in a gallery, after so many years.”
Ireland, arts administrator at the newly opened Heritage Home for the Arts, said she was looking forward to sharing Boulet’s vibrant work with the public.
And she hopes many people will come to celebrate this talented and eclectic artist.
“The opening starts at 7 p.m. on Friday, November 16 (tonight), and runs until 9 p.m.,” said Ireland. “And we will have a cash bar. The paintings are wonderful, and our gallery looks amazing.”
Boulet’s paintings, most of them created in oils, are emotional and rich, with elements of family, loss, beauty, nature and animals, faeries – and even music, if you look for it.
“After 20 years of painting – I started painting in 2001 – this is such a thrill,” said Boulet on Wednesday afternoon. “Every painting has a story.”
Her favourite, and most treasured work, is one titled ‘Angel’.
This ethereal painting represents the emotional aftermath following the death of Boulet’s daughter Rhonda, who passed away at age 17 from Cystic Fibrosis.
“She died on September 10, 2001,” said Boulet. “The next day, it was 9/11, and we heard about it in the car, and we thought then how many hearts were being broken, not just ours. That is the year I began painting.”
The beautiful creation took a year to complete, she said, with paint mixing together with her fallen tears. In it, Rhonda, holding a red rose, is moving forward in peace and joy.
‘Marianne – a One-Woman Show’ opens at the Heritage Home for the Arts gallery at 44 Water Avenue, Killarney, (next to the Ag Grounds) on Friday, November 16, from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m.
The exhibition of Marianne Boulet’s work will run until December 21. The gallery is open from Tuesday to Friday from 12 noon until 4 p.m. Entrance is free, but donations are kindly appreciated.
MARIANNE BOULET ON DISPLAY – Local artist Marianne Boulet was on scene at the local art centre Wednesday, hanging her stunning paintings in readiness for the opening of her one-woman show tonight. ‘Marianne – a One-Woman Show’ will run at the Heritage Home for the Arts (free entrance) until Friday, December 21.
THE HEART OF AN ANGEL – This picture, which marked the starting point of Boulet’s passion for serious painting, was created in 2001, after she lost her 17-year-old daughter Rhonda to complications related to Cystic Fibrosis. The beauty and flow of the images in ‘Angel’ proved cathartic for the grieving mother and artist.
BABY ANGEL – Another celestial image painted by artist Marianne Boulet, of her and husband Ron’s late teenage daughter Rhonda, waiting to be hung in the gallery.
KIM LANGEN PHOTOS/KILLARNEY GUIDE
AT THE SHOW…
MARIANNE’S ONE-WOMAN SHOWSTOPPER – There was a lively crowd, a cash bar, and even appetizers served during the wonderful opening night on Friday, November 16, of ‘Marianne: A One-Woman Show.’ Artist Marianne Boulet (left) with her talented daughter Chantal.
AWESOME ART – Visitors (below) enjoy the illuminated gallery rooms. The exhibition of this vibrant local artist’s work continues at the Heritage Home for the Arts until December 14.
