The Lost World Art Exhibition

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2001 was Ray Douglas annis horriblis.

For five years Ray and his wife Jill had been running a successful direct mail list brokerage company from their home in Nelson.

However in October 1999 Jill was diagnosed with cancer and battled the disease for two years. After radiation treatment the tumour subsided and she became well for five months during 2000. In November the tumour returned and by March of last year her health was deteriorating rapidly.

It become apparent that Ray could not continue with the business. A decision was made to re-locate the company, Direct Media (NZ) Ltd, back to the parent company in Sydney.

Ray has been a recreational landscape painter for many years and with encouragement from Jill, he painted. This acted as therapy at a time when he most needed it.

Born in Karamea, Ray s paintings are mostly of that area - which includes parts of the Kahurangi National Park and the Oparara Basin.

He discovered that 12 months ago the BBC had been filming The Lost World in the area - a TV movie that premiered on English television Christmas Day.

In late April Jill was admitted to the Nelson Region Hospice and subsequently died on the 2nd of July.

The loss for Ray was immense , but he continued to paint - and now has a collection of works which he has called The Lost World.

After Christmas he held his first Lost World Exhibition in the RSA at Karamea.

It was greeted warmly by locals and visitors alike. In fact it was so successful it was decided to have the same exhibition here in Nelson - dedicated to his late wife - and with all donations going to the Nelson Region Hospice.

The Exhibition opens on Wednesday 27th February to invited guests and dignitaries and will run free to the public from 10am to 8pm daily on Thursday 28th February, Friday 1st and Saturday 2nd of March.

The venue is at the Lighthouse Christian Centre on the corner of Waimea and Quarantine Roads.

Further information contact : Ray Douglas ph 03 545 7171/ 025 321 194

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