Newspaper Page Text
Chance encounter marks
new beginning for painter
by Jennie Moret
What do an FBI apent, a lawyer,
painter of wildlife scenes, avid big
game hunter, devout Christian,
former Miss America contestant,
and Judaica artist all have in
common?
They are the characteristics and
background of an interesting
Georgia couple who have become
inspired to learn about the Jewish
people—their history and
traditions. The artist, Mary
Pauline Whelan, recently
displayed her Judaica works of art
at a synagogue art exhibit on
Roswell Square.
But, First, a little backtracking,
so one can appreciate her self-
motivation.
Several years ago, my husband
and 1 were searching for particular
paintings for his office. While
wandering through exhibits of an
art show, we started chatting with
an artist whose wildlife scenes
were intriguing. We discovered the
reason that she was able to capture
the realism so expertly. She spent
much of her time hunting animals
with John, her husband of 38
years. He is a retired FBI agent and
is now an attorney.
Mentioning our search for a
particular wildlife scene, she
assured us that she could duplicate
anything, if we explained to her just
what we wanted. After arranging
to meet with her in her studio-
home, we undertook the task of
finding pictures.
Much conversation ensued
during these meetings and, in the
process, we started discussing our
Jewish religion. Mary Whelan, a
devout Christian, was genuinely
interested in the religion of others
and asked many questions. By the
end of our conversation, she asked
me to send her spme literature
about the Jews and their history.
Impressed by her interest, I
visited the gift shop of my
synagogue, Ahavath Achim, and
purchased , an excellent book,
“Pictorial History of the Jewish
People” by Nathan Ausubel.
Several weeks later, I received a
thank-you note from Mrs.
Whelan, saying she was deeply,
taken by the book and would be
using some of its illustrations for
her oils.
Several weeks ago, we received a
letter from her inviting us to visit
her at the art festival on Roswell
Square. Standing in front of her
works, I was speechless. She had
captured the feeling of a Hasidic
bar mitzva boy at the pulpit, the
texture of the Western Wall, the
dreams of an Israeli soldier, the
beauty of a prayer shawl, and the
deep thoughts of a Hasidic Jew
walking to synagogue. Her talent
was prevalent in the works of art,
but to know her limited exposure
to the Jewish religion made her
works that much more meaningful.
I soon found out that her
interest in the Jewish people began
to branch into many different
directions. Through her research,
she learned of The Jerusalem Post
and subscribed to it. She planted a
tree in Israel through JNF and
made donations for the soldiers
who were away from home during
Passover. She has shown great
support for the Soviet Jews.
Mary Whelan feels strongly that
her love and faith for Yahweh,
one of the Old Testament names
for G-d and the one she uses to
refer to Him, has been the ultimate
force steering her talents in this
direction. Her feelings of
brotherhood to all, no matter what
religion, are conveyed in her
works. Her husband, whose
support is very obvious, is equally
impressed with Israel. He says, "It
is a Jewish nation that has resolved
to survive.”
Mrs. Whelan spent eight months
researching, cross-referencing and
painting these particular works. It
took her an entire day to put
Hebrew writing in one of her
paintings. She wanted to be
accurate in her paintings. She
wanted to be accurate in her
interpretation. Consequently, she
now would like to take Hebrew
lessons and learn the language.
The number of Judaica
paintings in Atlanta is limited.
Here is an artist who has used her
heart, feelings and talent to
provide us with it.
A two-week exhibit of Mary
Whelan’s works will open on
Sunday, Sept. 11, at the Atlanta
Jewish Community Center on
Peachtree.
ft
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PAGE 13 THE SOUTHERN ISRAELITE August 26. 1983