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Richard Donald

RICHARD DONALD, Emeritus Professor of the University of Otago, trained as an endocrinologist. He has published over two hundred scientific articles, and is the author of French Leave (Shoal Bay Press, 2002). Richard, who enjoys art just as much as science, is married to ceramic artist Gennie deLange and has two daughters who are artists. A small apartment in the south of France means he is often to be found loitering in European galleries.

Richard was introduced to Patricia by Gennie deLange, whose mother was Patricia’s life-long friend; both mother and daughter were avid collectors of Patricia’s paintings. He writes of the first meeting:

'Before my first rendezvous with Patricia I was nervous and uncertain about what to expect. I knew she had been a patient in a psychiatric hospital but did not know why. I opened the gate in the thick holly hedge and walked cautiously down the brick path towards her.

I hardly noticed the imaginative design of her garden, as I was focusing intently on the small figure in a black velvet dress with hands clasped in front – in a deceptively demure pose. I relaxed when I saw the warm, welcoming smile on the deeply lined face and the knowing glint in the intelligent eyes. In no time at all we were chatting freely – probably too freely in my case – and Patricia had made another conquest.’

Titles:
French Leave, Shoal Bay Press, 2002
Painting out the past : the life and art of Patricia France