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Art In Retirement: Learning To Draw & Paint Together

by Unknown User on 2019-02-06T09:30:00-05:00 | 0 Comments

 Cathy & Lewis Finding Art Together 

Lewis and Cathy Gutterman have discovered a whole new creative dimension in their lives together after retirement.  In 2009, soon after Cathy retired she wanted to find activities that both she and her husband Lewis could enjoy together.  One of the first places they looked was to their local library, the Greenburgh Public Library, where they discovered the Sketchbook Drawing and Art Group program. Their retirement coincided with the opening of the Library's newly renovated building and growth of programing offered to patrons.  Other places they explored were the Westchester Parks and the New York Botanical Garden, where they tried their hand at plein-air sketching. 

While visiting local libraries, parks and museums they met artists and became exposed to art happenings, got intrigued about improving their drawing skills, and learning to use other mediums.  They discovered Pam Jones, who gave them a good foundation in drawing fundamentals.  They met Joe Mullins at the Hudson River Museum, who really encouraged Lewis to pursue his portrait drawing.  They met other artists such as Dolores Santoliquido,  Mark Leibowitz, Naomi Campbell and Elissa Gore, at the NY Botanical Garden.

With the encouragement and support of these great artists, Cathy and Lewis started to use watercolors.  Currently they are taking watercolor classes with Jayne Conte and studying drawing and anatomy at the Blauvelt Free Library with Chris Raccioppi, a sculptor and instructor at the Art Students League of New York.  In fact, Cathy and Lewis have shared art techniques they learned from these artists with other members of the Sketchbook program at the Library. 

A previous blog post featured several of the artists Cathy and Lewis met and studied with at the NY Botanical Garden, and other Libraries, Museums and Parks nearby.  Many of these artists have become Visiting Artists during the Sketchbook program with generous funding provided by the Friends of the Greenburgh Library. Today, Lewis and Cathy generously share drawing and painting techniques gleaned from various art books and classes they are attending in retirement.  I am personally grateful to them both for widening my art horizon and sharing their passion for art with me.  

Question:  What did you do first when you began making art? 

Cathy:  I began working with pencil first, drawing nature, animals and trees.  We tried to find classes where we could learn the basics.  We found Pam Jones teaching basic drawing at a Library in Rockland County.  Pam was an excellent teacher.  Pam also did a series of programs at the Greenburgh Library which we attended. 

    

Lewis:  I was amazed by a pencil drawing of an Art Deco piece I saw at auction many years ago.  It was of a portrait and it always inspired me.  The item sold before I was able to buy it or see it again.  Ever since, I've always been interested in portraits.  I've been impressed by the art teachers we've met and began drawing their portraits and have given the finished drawing to each of them.  More recently, Lee Romero, who we met at the Hudson River Museum, and who also was a Visiting Artist during the Sketchbook program, was a great inspiration for me.  I was able to sketch his portrait and gave it to him during the Library program.  We have learned so much from the guest artists as well as people in the program.  This inspires us to keep working and improving our art skills.  My Grandfather also enjoyed drawing and painting portraits.  He was a self-taught artist.  Many of his pieces are in our home. 

 

Cathy & Lewis Gallery

 

Question:  What types of drawing techniques have you tried?

Cathy: I have experimented with many different techniques to improve shading, create different kinds of lines and how to use color.  I've also used online art videos to be inspired and challenged.  James Gurney's web site sends out challenges to anyone interested and he offers great tips.  We took the Zentangle workshop at the Library with Jill Greenbaum and I really liked learning about how to combine lines, patterns and shading.  This also  gave me a chance to work with a micron ink pen and to create shapes inspired by botanical drawing from books and websites like:   Sharla R. Hicks  blog and a skill share site by artist Shelley Klammer called: Expressive Art Workshops.   I try to work on something each day. 

Cover Art One Zentangle a Day by Beckah Krahula
ISBN: 9781592538119
Publication Date: 2012-11-01


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