Goodbye, My Friend, Peter Matheson

"Gone On A Long Walk, Never To Return?"

I just heard that Peter Matheson, my friend, passed away in Alexandra a couple of days ago. Peter was born to paint and draw. I thought he told great stories with his pictures and he thought I painted images with my words. His was a self-taught skill and natural gift. He was unassuming in society and held himself to a high standard in his work and conduct. Peter was a good friend.

He could paint... and sketch with amazing realism. I have one of my favourite painting of all time, painted by him and featured in my story of "The Quiet Walk".
We both shared the same birthday. I just saw him a couple of weeks ago, he was convalescing in the Alexandra Hospital and due to go for another dose of chemo to treat his lung cancer.
 

 Peter, your paintings and drawings often reminded me of the sceneries I could see in real life around Alex. Now, the real sceneries around Alex will remind me of you and your paintings.

Peter, you will be greatly missed. You were a legend and part of Alexandra and will always be so.

I will think of it as you have gone on a long walk. Are you never to return? Enjoy your walk, Peter! Come back after a while in another body, the hills, lakes and bush around Alex will be waiting for you to come back and paint them again.

-Kannan

The Quiet Walk

A Painting by Peter Matheson

Photos credit and Copyright  (c) Kannan Narayanamurthy 2013
All rights reserved