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Jules Zeller remembers biking down from Waterloo to visit the Watson house, with his brother Douglas John Zeller (1919-2001), when Douglas was a student of Phoebe Watson. She taught Douglas both oil painting and china painting, in Homer Watson's studio. This was around the year 1938, two years after the death of Homer Watson.Both young men felt deeply honoured to visit with Phoebe. Jules remembers the house, gallery and grounds being in "great shape". He also recalls that Miss Watson ordered china blanks from "that famous Austrian china maker...Carlsbad". Jules Zeller, remembers the day that his brother bought a Homer Watson painting. Phoebe sold the young man "A Walk in the Doon Woods" for $10.00. This piece is now a prized possession belonging to Jules Zeller, and he has exhibited it frequently at Homer Watson House and Gallery during their Annual Watson Exhibit.
Although Douglas Zeller never met Homer Watson, he was greatly influenced by the many paintings hanging on the gallery walls. Watson's characteristic style can be seen in the work "Snider Farm House, Lexington" done by Douglas Zeller in 1938. Zeller was so inspired by Watson, that 30 years later, he honoured his memories of Doon by painting "Into the Light", c.1970, a homage to the Watson work "Cressman's Woods".
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Douglas John Zeller, student of Phoebe Watson .1940
Doon, Ontario
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In 1938, a young Douglas Zeller visited Homer Watson's house in Doon, with his brother Jules Zeller.4
Douglas took art lessons from Homer Watson's sister Phoebe Watson, who kept the gallery open after her brother's death in 1936.5
Phoebe Watson outside house under 'Homer Watson Gallery' sign1938
Doon, Ontario
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During her life, Phoebe Watson also brought art to the community by teaching classes in pyrography, oil, watercolour and china painting.7
Copy of Phoebe Watson's business card.1910
Doon, Ontario
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'Snider Farm House, Lexington', by Douglas John Zeller.1938
Doon, Ontario
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This artwork "Snider Farmhouse, Lexington" completed by Douglas Zeller in 1938, has brushwork that is similar to that of Homer Watson.10
'Into the Light' by Douglas John Zeller (homage of the work 'Cressman's Woods' by Homer Watson)1970
Doon, Ontario
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In 1970, Douglas Zeller painted this work "Into the Light" in honour of Homer Watson's painting "Cressman's Woods".12
'Walk in the Doon Woods'1925
Doon, Ontario
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On their last visit Douglas & Jules purchased a Homer Watson entitled "A Walk in the Doon Woods" from Phoebe Watson for $10.00. |
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