September 14, 2006

A whole lot of painting going on

Open Studio seniors to show paintings at Sunday’s Almaden Art and Wine Festival

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

They come weekly to Almaden’s new community center carrying their easels, brushes and latest works in progress. They paint whatever moves them—portraits, landscapes, flowers, developing as artists—while creating new friendships and having a whole lot of fun.

Open Studio—where creativity and fun are brushed on canvas every Thursday. Back row: Bert Donlan, Carol Glynn, Barbara Gillis, Maria Dutra, Diane Perovich, Bob Coleman, Judy Brynda. Seated: unknown visitor, Pat Gestwicki, Maria Martinez and JoAnne Sadler. Photo by Jeanne Carbone Lewis

“It’s a wonderful place,” said facilitator Mary Sheehan. “I taught watercolor classes at the community center for many years until it became somewhat difficult for me to continue. At home I found other things got in the way. It occurred to me that there were probably dozens of people out there in the same predicament. Painting is a solitary endeavor. Seniors may have the desire, but lack the space, can’t find the time or motivation to paint at home. That’s where Open Studio comes in.”

Every Thursday the eager seniors arrive at the community center, chatting, laughing and painting a lot. Sheehan, a retired elementary art teacher and painter, critiques at the end of each session, offering advice and positive reinforcement. And so accomplished are their latest artworks, five artists will showcase their paintings at the Almaden Art and Wine Festival this Sunday at Almaden Lake Park.

“I took lessons from Mary when she taught at the old center,” said Diane Perovich who will show her painting of the old St. Anthony’s Church in New Almaden at the coming Art and Wine Festival. “It’s a good opportunity to paint. Sometimes it’s hard to come every Thursday, but it’s worth it.”

Many of the group attend other classes at Kirk, Southside Senior Center or teacher Doug Wright’s adult education class. Some have painted for years while others are neophyte artists in training. Their mediums include pastels, watercolors, acrylics, oils and pencils. And many snap their own photographs of their subject matter.

“My life has been getting into things by accident,” said Judy Brynda. “And it’s wonderful to see the group build in talent.”

Bynda excitedly displays a photograph of a possum that wandered into her garage and found a good place to snooze on its back in a cradle. The amicable group laughs and tells her it should be her next subject.

Barbara Gillis joined the group earlier this year, working in pastels and watercolors, creating charming flowers and bunnies that put smiles on everyones’ faces.

“I’m not doing the wash,” said Gillis. “I get away from home and don’t feel guilty about it. And this is such a supportive group.”

Bert Donlon is working on an acrylic he will turn into a Christmas card this year. But the retired Los Gatos High School teacher is just as creative when he’s at home. Donlon is creating a 2-foot by 20-foot mural landscape to showcase the train collection he started collecting at age 8. But it doesn’t stop there. He’s busy sculpting rocks and trees in between the tracks. And that’s when he’s not working on watercolors and oils.

“I did a self-portrait with all my hobbies,” said Donlon. “I told the teacher I couldn’t do it because I have too many hobbies at first. I’m in the middle in a yoga position in a yin yang T-shirt and hiking, trains, a total of 14 of my interests are in the clouds.”

JoAnne Sadler joined the group two years ago.

“I was scared to death and didn’t think I could do it,” said Sadler. “I like doing watercolor because you can just wipe it off if you don’t like it.”

Bob Coleman is colorblind, but he shows up every Thursday at Open Studio.

“Maria’s my mentor,” said Coleman who was painting a colorful purple pansies acrylic. “She tells me what color I need. I’m no artist. This is something I do on Thursday mornings to relax.”

“We come here so we won’t do graffiti,” laughed Maria Martinez, who took up painting after a 20-year absence and now creates delicate watercolors with a southwest flavor.

Impressed with the seniors’ work at Open Studios, the Almaden Library showcases their work in the long hallway upstairs. Sheehan suggested the group show its work at Almaden Art and Wine Festival. The group submitted their work and was accepted for the juried show.

“Many of the senior artists don’t feel they are good enough to show [their work],” said Sheehan. “I think they are terrific. They are a little nervous and apprehensive, but as one participant said, ‘if I don’t do this now, I never will.’ Art is a hobby that one can pursue at any age. Our senior artists just get better and better.”

Open Studio—where creativity and fun are brushed on canvas every Thursday.

Open Studio is held every Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Drop by the Almaden Community Center, 6445 Camden Avenue, second floor, Room 4, San Jose, or call (408) 268-1133 or visit www.almadenseniors.org. Free.

Visit the Open Studio booth at the Almaden Art and Wine Festival Sunday, Sept. 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Almaden Lake Park at the corner of Coleman and Almaden Expressway.