Tag Archives: Dunmore Activity Hub

Artist of the Month: Lucille Willard

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Artist of the Month composite

Lucille Willard is shown here surrounded by a collage of some of her many paintings.

Lucille Willard has been a participating artist with the Dunmore Senior Painting Program since it was located in downtown Dunmore. 

For a few years she concentrated on helping her long-term disability by working out in a pool. She then got back to art, her first love, and manages to create while in a reclining chair with the paint pallet on her chest and holding the canvas aloft.

An artist her whole life, she took art classes throughout her school years, and she attended an advertising art course at SUATI in Farmingdale, Long Island. 

Along came marriages, during which Lucille did little with her craft until her present husband, James Gibson, encouraged her to go back to oil painting.

Practically all of her paintings are original themes from photos she has taken or ideas out of her head. Lucille enjoys many subjects and can replicate several styles of painting techniques. She also does commission work.

Lucille much appreciates the ability to paint at the Dunmore Community Center with Jill Swersie and the camaraderie of the group, as she otherwise lives an isolated sedentary life due to her lower spine disabilities. 

Artist of the Month: Marie Mohila

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Artist Marie Mohila

Marie Mohila is shown with a wide variety of her paintings, including portraits, landscapes, and still lifes.

By Marie Mohila

A very dear friend of mine, Ivone Grzech, invited me to join her during an art class she attended at the Dunmore Senior Center when it was located on Chestnut Street in Dunmore approximately 14 years ago. And as they say, “the rest is history.”

Over the next two years I began my journey as an amateur art student. I took a four year break from the classes as I was hired as the Executive Assistant to the President and Dean at the Commonwealth Medical College and worked full time. When I retired eight years ago, I returned to the Senior Center art classes which are now held at the Dunmore Community Center on Monroe Avenue.

I can’t say that I have a favorite subject matter to focus on, as I enjoy painting anything and everything. Throughout the years I have painted various wintery scenes that I have printed as my Christmas cards. Family and friends tell me how much they enjoy receiving these unique and personal greeting cards, and many have told me that they have even framed them.

One thing I enjoy most is taking photos when travelling and then painting those memories at home. Some of my favorite spots are in Maine and include Chebeague Island, Marginal Way (along the ocean in Ogunquit), Bar Harbor and Kennebunkport. I have also enjoyed painting plein air at various bed and breakfasts in both Pennsylvania and Maine, and last year I was invited to return to be an artist-in-residence at a bed and breakfast in Ogunquit.

I have found that over the years I’ve grown in my artist skills which have included “loosening” up of my style of painting.

My mantra in life has always been “giving is living.” I most enjoy donating many of my giclee prints to various charitable auctions. One of my favorite charities to give back to is the Geisinger Commonwealth Medical College.

During 2018 I was faced with many health challenges which prevented my painting for an entire year. Besides my family and friends, the one thing that got me through this difficult time was the vision of returning to my love of painting. I have been truly blessed to rejoin my classes at the Dunmore Senior Center this past February and I am so happy to say that I plan to fulfill my dream of being an artist-in-residence in Ogunquit, Maine.

A big THANK YOU to the Dunmore Senior Center for affording us the opportunity to be able to attend these art classes.

Artist of the Month: Ruth Boyles

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Ruth Boyles is shown with her large lily painting.

By Ruth Boyles

I started painting at the Dunmore Activity Center about five years ago. Before this time my drawings were stick figures.

I have always been interested in many kinds of artistic things.  My mom, who was a gifted crocheter and embroiderer, tried to encourage me in crocheting and I did cross stitching and knitting, and eventually I did crochet an afghan blanket.  

I felt there was an artist inside me that just needed to be taught how.  Dave Smith, a friend from my church who is a wonderful artist, invited me to come to the class at the center. That was about 25 paintings ago.

Jill Swersie has been a wonderful teacher.  She has been a great help–as we work on our paintings, she will ask what we are desiring to do and then help us to get that particular effect.  

Jill has also taught us in sketch class how to use various other mediums such as charcoal, pastels, watercolors and acrylics painting on various surfaces.  We have even dabbled in clay sculptures with her leadership.

We have a great time visiting with each other, too, and have developed some lasting friendships with the men and women in the class. We also learn different techniques from each other regarding our painting.

I especially enjoy painting buildings, barns, lighthouses and winter scenes which I will make into Christmas cards. I have donated a painting for a fund-raiser but often give my paintings away to those I know will enjoy them.  

I have a few hanging in my home.  It’s fun to look back on the first ones and compare to where I am now.  Many of the folks I paint with have sold their paintings in various shows and First Friday events here in Scranton.  We have also taken part in plein air painting events.