The red mask

Despite their delicacy of colour and texture, Thea Proctor's skilful arrangements of shape and pattern, demonstrate an unwavering command of design in watercolours that range from relative simplicity to the lavish theatricality of 'The red mask'. A love of flowers and flower arranging was part of Proctor's interest in imbuing all aspects of everyday life with elegance and beauty. Her advice was regularly sought in connection with public displays of flowers, while photographs of her floral arrangements and articles on the subject were published in 'The Home' magazine.

Proctor made many watercolours on silk, including fans, a technique popularised by Charles Conder. She began painting fans while living and working in London from 1903-21, and her still life compositions were well known in Australia from the 1920s on, particularly in Sydney where she was an influential member of the art world.