14
William Wadley reads from Betty Hearn's memoir 'My Childhood and Cats'2004
Doon, Ontario
15
"I'm reading from an except of a memoir written by Betty Hearn, entitled "My Childhood and Cats". Betty's mother Caroline was another Bechtel sister and she recalls that…"My wonderful Aunt Roxy, an older sister of my mother, was the wife of Homer Watson, the well-known Canadian landscape painter. They lived in the nearby picturesque village of Doon. Their daughter Mary was a little older than I, and I frequently visited the Watson's. Uncle Homer was kind, and slightly other-worldly. Yet, well-acquainted in the only two worldly circles of international artists and of his Canadian business patrons, any of whom one might meet at his house. He liked children and made fantastic conversation with them. "If you girls don't go away and stop stepping in that paint, I shall write you a sharp letter", he would say to us, standing at his easel."
16
William Wadley reads a story about Mary Watson2004
Doon, Ontario
17
"We have cousins, like other people have mice, says one of us. Among these is Mary Watson, the adopted daughter of Aunt Roxy and the artist Homer. Mary has lovely curls and sparkling black eyes. Hers is a happy disposition, with a streak of rather wild gaiety that is destined to get her into a good deal of trouble as a young adult....The scene is the back of the Watson house in Doon, a hot summer day. Betty is sporting the cool waters of the rain barrel, wearing only a cotton pinafore. Mary appears. She is dressed all in white, flounced and starched, eyelet embroidered. She is to accompany her mother to an afternoon tea. Betty says "You know what I would do if I were you? I'd jump right into this rain barrel!". Without a moment's hesitation, Mary jumps! Scene fades…"
18
William Wadley reads from Myrtle Bechtel Bean's memoir "Uncle Homer, Aunt Roxie and Me".19
William Wadley reads a memoir by Myrtle Bechtel Bean entitled 'Uncle Homer, Aunt Roxie, and Me'2004
Doon, Ontario
20
"I'm reading an except from a memoir by Myrtle Bechtel Bean, a niece of Uncle Homer's entitled "Uncle Homer, Aunt Roxie and Me"…"The First Snow", painted by Homer Watson, is my most precious possession. It speaks to me of Mother Nature's brooding over Canadian pioneer days and of our early forests. It has always given me a deep sense of peace. "The First Snow" is a valuable painting. In 1963 and 1964, when The Homer Watson Retrospective Exhibition was sent by The National Gallery throughout Canada, it was shown along with many of his other famous paintings. At that time, it was insured for $3000 and its value will increase with age. Several of the canvasses, then exhibited had been purchased in 1880 for Queen Victoria by the Marquis of Lorne, Governor General of Canada, and his wife Princess Louise, the daughter of Queen Victoria."
21
William Wadley reads from a memoir by Myrtle Bechtel Bean entitled 'Uncle Homer, Aunt Roxie, and Me'2004
Doon, Ontario
22
"Homer Watson's work is important in the world of art for several reasons. He was the first Canadian born artist to be recognized abroad. During his lifetime, he completed more than 1000 canvasses. These hang in famous galleries, great art collections and spacious homes across Canada, the U.S. and overseas. He won many honours at important art exhibitions abroad, as well as in America. In fact, at one time he was known in art circles as the man of the hour. Keeping this wide-spread recognition in mind, it is remarkable to note that he was entirely self-taught. Though world-renowned, he was important to me because he was my uncle, beloved by all of our family for his personal warmth and refinement. He was a good man and knew his bible well. A deep interest in and love for humanity enabled him to easily converse with people who came to his gallery from all levels of society."23
William Wadley reads from a memoir by Myrtle Bechtel Bean entitled 'Uncle Homer, Aunt Roxie, and Me'2004
Doon, Ontario
24
"His passion for music made him particularly interesting to me and developed a special bond between us. Never having learned to read notes, he played his piano extremely well by ear. His improvisations were fascinating, as his nimble artist fingers cascaded up and down the keyboard, with true Homer Watson skill and effect. I feel that he could have met with as much success in music, as he had in art. There was no radio or television in those days. From early childhood, my efforts at the piano were very interesting to Uncle Homer. I frequently practiced at his home for my Toronto Conservatory examinations. He enjoyed hearing the great composers while he painted across the hall. So whenever I had the chance I went suitcase in hand, to Doon, on the Galt-Elmira train. I always received a very warm welcome."25
William Wadley reads from a memoir by Myrtle Bechtel Bean entitled 'Uncle Homer, Aunt Roxie, and Me'2004
Doon, Ontario
26
"Aunt Roxie, Uncle Homer's dear wife was a splendid housekeeper. Her style of cooking was superb. She kept the same maid for years and treated her more as friend than servant. It seemed auntie managed everything, including uncle and he loved her for it! They were true life partners in every sense. She had been and always was his only sweetheart. They were engaged for seven years before their marriage on January 1st, 1881. Aunt Roxie had seven sisters and three brothers, the oldest of whom was my father. Uncle Homer had three brothers and one sister, who was a very fine artist in her own right, we called her Aunt Phoeb."27
William Wadley reads from a memoir by Myrtle Bechtel Bean entitled 'Uncle Homer, Aunt Roxie, and Me'2004
Doon, Ontario
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