It's time for the "Old Schoolhouse" Art Show in Creswell ready to roll and find Librarian Stacy in her famous pink tennis shoes ...
... as we show up early to set out the goodies.
As the artists arrive Carol gives everyone a formal welcome in her own warm way.
In the audience is Shirley, Victoria and our Newspaper's owner, editor, publisher and photographer Helen.
More and more people showed up during the reception and we even had one guest from Massachusetts (the young man on the left). Another luminary was Paul Bourgault (in the background) whose painting from a few years ago was the inspiration for inviting the other Plein Air artists to Creswell for the paintout and show.
The art is fantastic...
Sarkis Antikajian's piece included a very active scene with a biker and a couple walking on the sidewalk.
There is Sarkis in the center and Plein Air Coordinator Brooks Hickerson on the right.
I especially liked the wall colors that were a great contrast to the paintings like this one by Shirley Froyd.
While sitting at a table I took this shot of Shirley looking at the paintings.
One of the early sellers was Victoria Biedron's Window painting and Sharyn liked it so much she received Victoria's permission to use the image on "Thank You" cards for the "Save the Schoolhouse" committee.
I talked a little with Victoria and found that she began painting four short years ago and I was amazed and realized that a natural talent gains experience much faster than us ten thumbed mortals.
I am so proud to be a part of the Plein Air group and especially proud of the Save the Schoolhouse committee of Creswell. Their ability to set up a great show along with the support of the library staff, especially Esther hanging the show as well as Stacy and Yaakov and Su for their support.
The artists that participated came from all over Lane county. Bets Cole from Elmira presented a painting with a wonderful perspective of the Schoolhouse from the southwest corner.
Bets is probably the most expressive person I've ever met and I promise I won't try to get a picture unless it's in bright sunlight and with the camera set for 1/4,000 th of a second or faster. The reason is Bets is constantly moving.
Bets did slow down slightly to talk with Brooks Hickerson's son.
Can you guess that Brooks was a Texan in his younger years.
Verlean (I hope I spelled it right) and Holly seemed to be having a great time as Holly obviously was expressing something with great emphasis.
I noticed something familiar over Victoria's shoulder - a purse exactly like Sharyn's with only one difference being the black strap rather than red.
Plein Air Painters are the artists that can be seen painting at outdoor locations so seeing the "Outdoor Life" magazine behind Victoria was a nice little coincidence and I'm betting the "100 Best" quote is prophetic of her talents.
It was a great gathering and it's amazing how many interesting things we discover in conversations. I found out the Brooks and Peggie Hickerson were married at University of Houston at the same time Sharyn and I met at U of H.
Jane Vincent a member of our City Council was there and it was very nice to meet her and talk a bit.
I just loved the company and the smiles...
... and like me Brooks has a blog, his being specifically for the Plein Air painters ...
It was a lovely evening with some very special folks. I will enjoy revisiting the Creswell Library to see their creations and miss them when they leave on December 7.
If you got here from the Save the Schoolhouse Site [Click Here] to return
No Scrabble tonight
Quote of the Day ~
"I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn't say any other way--things I had no words for." ~ Georgia O'Keeffe
1 comment:
thanks so much to you also paul for all your work in making this event, to recognize the oldest public building in creswell we will restore as a gift back to the city, not just happen but such a success.
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