Natale’s watercolors featured on Lions’ town throw
Page 4 • Wednesday, September 23, 2015 • The Hammonton Gazette
tirely new ones that were used on the throw.
it went beyond my expectations,” Natale
said.
the end result is a throw that is not only
warm when you’re on a couch, but features
the warm colors of Natale’s watercolors,
which are always experiential, drawing
viewers into the scenes she paints.
“i try to push beauty in the things i paint.
You want to capture the memories that peo-
ple grew up with, and they want it to be a
warm memory,” Natale said.
in addition to the throw, Natale’s images
of other areas including Cape May and the
Seaview Hotel have graced magazine covers, posters, advertising, postcards and original artwork.
“the real challenge with this project was
making all the buildings and images fit to-
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Hammonton Lions Club President Lisa DeKlerk (right) shows off an order form with customer Dr.
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used for that purpose. She said she was honLIONS, from Page 1
has drawn rave reviews from Hammontoni- ored to have been a part of the creation of
the sesquicentennial throw.
ans and people from outside the town.
“Hammonton has such a wonderful sense
Members of the Hammonton Lions Club
were elated at how well the full-color throw, of community and of the town. Originally,
which measures 48” x 68” and sells for $65, they were going to use watercolors i had
looked and felt. they were also happy to see previously painted, but i wanted the colors
the positive reaction by the public and the and building types to mesh, so i created ensales of the throw going well. there
will be a limited edition of 250
throws made.
“We are so excited. everything is
just wonderful. everybody has just
been energized by the beauty of the
watercolors — they are so honored
their town has been portrayed this
way. People absolutely love the
throw, which takes those watercolors and puts them together,” Hammonton Lions Club Member
Barbara Neary-Bachalis, who spearheaded the effort to make the throw,
said.
the throw is made in the United
States of america, Neary-Bachalis
said.
Hammonton Lions Club President Lisa DeKlerk said the throw
had drawn an outstanding response
from the members of the club when
it was unveiled on September 15,
just days before the event at Casciano.
“We got a great response from
club members. the comments were
outstanding.
they were impressed,” DeKlerk said.
DeKlerk praised Natale for her
paintings — her work was donated
to help make the throw possible.
“Marie did such a fantastic job. i
can’t even begin to express our gratitude to her. She made this blanket
come to life. She’s the reason we’re
going to sell this throw so well. it’s
stunning,” DeKlerk said.
Funds from the sales of the throw
will help the Lions Club achieve
some of its goals in the coming year,
she said.
“We’re going to sponsor three
concerts in Leo Park at Veterans
Park beginning in May 2016. at the
closing of the sesquicentennial next
year, we’re going to be presenting
the town of Hammonton with a time
capsule,” DeKlerk said.
the positive reaction to the throw
and the Natale watercolors was seen
through the positive comments and
looks on the faces of people who
packed Casciano Coffee Bar and
Sweetery, where the throw was displayed along with the original artworks by Natale, many of which
were being offered at a reduced rate.
Several of the framed watercolors of
landmark Hammonton locations
were already marked with stickers
that said they had been purchased.
Natale’s artwork will be displayed
at Casciano for a month.
“i look at my paintings of architecture like painting a picture of an
historical figure,” Natale said.
Natale said the throw marked the
first time her watercolors had been
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