A Pāpāmoa painter doesn’t allow her Fuchs' dystrophy and her worsening vision to stop her from doing what she loves.

Judy Lomas has been a member of the Mount Art Group for 10 years.

The 81-year-old worked as a primary school teacher, finishing her teaching career at Tauhara Primary in Taupō.

After retiring, she spent a further 10 years in Taupō and joined the Taupō Art Society, participating in Art in the Park on Roberts St for 10 years.

She never had any training. She “just loves doing it”.

Judy Lomas and some of her work. Photo / Bob Tulloch

“I started out with watercolour and that’s what I love.” Lomas does more acrylic painting now but still prefers watercolour.

It’s her passion and something she wishes to continue doing throughout her retirement.

There’s just one problem. When Lomas was 60, she was diagnosed with Fuchs' dystrophy, a progressive condition that affects eyesight.

“Fluid builds up in the cornea, leading to blurred and cloudy vision,” she said.

It is particularly bad in the morning. “As the day moves on, the moisture in the corneas dries somewhat, and at later afternoon (on a bright sunny day), I am able to use a window of opportunity to paint some finer work.”

Lomas can only do a couple of hours of fine painting before her eyes get too aggravated. This means her paintings progress very slowly, but she is always determined to get there.

Judy Lomas with a painting she completed during the Covid pandemic of some of the photos she saw in her backyard. Photo / Bob Tulloch

“Unfortunately, the disease is progressing, but I’ll keep painting as long as I’m able to.”

There is no cure for Fuchs' dystrophy, but there are treatment methods like cell replacement that can improve the condition.

Lomas struggles with the finer details in her paintings and said she may have to resort to doing more abstract painting in the future because of her condition.

Mount Art Group’s annual exhibition

Lomas loves being a part of the Mount Art Group, which has just celebrated its 51st anniversary.

She said she finds it to be a very supportive community.

“We’re just a group of people who love to get together and paint and talk and have coffee together.”

No longer being able to drive, a friend from the art group drives Lomas to the sessions.

The group have been exhibiting their art at an annual exhibition held at the Mount Surf Club. “It’s a wonderful event to work towards,” said Lomas.

Judy Lomas with her painting Barbeque Chickens. Photo / Bob Tulloch

This year, it will be held from March 14-16, where the club will exhibit hundreds of their finest work from the past 12 months.

Lomas will have 14 paintings in the exhibition, and she’s very excited to show her work to the Tauranga public.