Tag Archives: painting

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: Marie Barbuti

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Artist of the Month - Marie BarbutiMarie Barbuti has been named the April Artist of the Month from the Dunmore Activity Hub.

“Since 1992, I have had the privilege of being part of the oil painting class at the Dunmore Senior Center, “ Marie says. “First it was located on Chestnut Street, and then became part of the Dunmore Community Center on Monroe Avenue.”

Marie usually paints a variety of subjects, most of them out of her imagination, and a few from photos of nature. She loves doing portraits of people and animals, and she has given several of those paintings away to friends and family.

“Painting at the center, whatever your choice—oil, watercolor or acrylic, is a delight,” Marie reports. “If you help with a problem area, our instructor, Jill Swersie, is always pleasant and willing to help you. The students are great—very friendly, and everyone is supportive of each other’s works.”

Ms. Swersie resides in the Poconos, and travels to be at the center every Monday from noon to 4 p.m. A free sketching class is offered from noon to 1 p.m.

Class members participate in several shows a year, with food, drink, and sometimes live music, and many of the artists have sold their paintings.

“Painting is a wonderful and inexpensive therapy,” Marie points out. “Please don’t feel you have to be a Michelangelo, DaVinci, or Kinkade to join our class. All you have to do is want to try something new in a relaxed atmosphere, have fun and make some friends.”