I am more than a little delighted that 2508 has agreed to support a regular contribution on local artists. I think everyone will be surprised and enchanted by what’s happening on our own doorstep. I am inviting any artist who would like to be profiled in the 2508 magazine to contact me ASAP so that I can get your story going. 

In the meantime, as a local watercolour artist, I will get started.

I was born in the Netherlands in 1949 and arrived in Australia in 1952. I was married in 1971, have three adult children and enjoyed a professional career in public education for more than 40 years. Nearly 20 years as the Principal at Menai High School provided abundant opportunities for exploring and enjoying creativity in myself and others. 

My passion and love of nature was nurtured through long-distance walking, gardening and bushwalking. Retirement was a difficult reality for me but my husband Ron and I eased the pain of leaving a vibrant and all-consuming working life by immediately hitting the “Grey Nomad” caravanning road for the next four years. 

Prior to retirement I had some great lessons in travel sketching and this served me well in transitioning out of a passion for public education and into a passion for watercolour travel sketching and later watercolour painting. 

I have been back in residence for two years now and continue to paint from my studio at home in beautiful Stanwell Park, where I can find more than enough nature to satisfy a lifetime of painting and pleasure. Some of my paintings are on display at Alcara Cafe in Helensburgh. My website profiles commissions and paintings for sale featuring our beaches and bush, florals in my garden, as well as painted stories about our endangered environment.

Watercolour painting is a joy to me and hopefully it brings joy to others. I look forward to sharing another artist’s story in the next edition of 2508 District News.

Visit edithmcnallyart.online or call Edith McNally on 0477 778 289