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BOB ANN BRELAND

By Washington (Parish) Art Association

Excitement is in the air as artists prepare for the annual Washington (Parish) Art Association big group art show and sale, to he held on Sunday, March 23, from 2-5 p.m. The show, with no admittance charge, will once again be at the Nelson home at 28035 Winfred Bateman Road, across from Sherman’s store in Clifton.

Ann Warner and Sara Nelson, co-chairman of the show, welcome visitors to come, visit with artists and enjoy refreshments.

It is a joy to see the work of artists in the area and an opportunity for artists to show their work, ranging from various painted art, original woodwork and possibly jewelry. Prices are at all levels for those who wish to buy.

Those participating in the show include: Ann Warner, Cindy Creel, Beverly Varnado, Sara Nelson, Terry Seal, Patricia Ballhagen, Mary Pace, Curtis Creel, Lenora Frazier, Eleanor Duke, Joyce Stinson, Judy Wamsley, Theresa Wascom, Kaye Williams, Penny Seal, Mary Pace, Violeta Thomas, Sherri Brown, Theron Graves, Malinda White, Hallene Magee, Janis Fisher, Johnny Green, Bob Ann Breland, Carol Ridenour, Donna Kilborrne, Monica Wood, Ruby Bickham, Joan Busby and Loretta De Soto.

Two of the artists to be featured in the upcoming show are Theron Graves and Ruby Bickham. I had the opportunity to sit down with them and discover what inspires them.

Art opened many doors for Theron Graves

“Art opened up a lot of doors for me,” said Theron Graves who admits flowers have been his favorite to paint. He began classes in oil painting with Ann Warner in 2018. In autumn 2019, he had to take a break as everything stopped for COVID.

Back in class, he has met so many interesting people, gone places and seen the work of many good artists, as well as learning about using color and design in painting. He still loves flowers, but is painting other things as well.

“I am a minority in art class as the only male, which makes it interesting.” He encourages men to try learning to paint, enjoying interacting with the teacher and other students.

One of those souls who enjoys doing so much, he had an active life before learning to paint. He retired as County Executive Director after serving 38 years with USDA Farm Service Agency.

He has worked with the fair association for many years and now works part time in the pharmacy at Creel Pharmacy in Pine. He serves as treasurer for the Art Association and is very active in his church, Acy’s Creek Missionary Baptist. He is the father of four and the grandfather of 10.

In high school he drew monthly covers for the football program, but got busy with life and family and didn’t continue with art. He and the family were busy caring for their parents and in 2018 his dad died, followed in 2019 by his mom. He needed something to do to take him forward and it was art.

He loves gardening and has always grown plants, including gardens and vegetables in big black pots in the back yard. A great cook, he enjoys entertaining and is involved in several other creative ventures.

Looking forward to more painting, he would very much like to try plein air painting in the near future, “painting in the open air”.

Painting portraits brings joy to local artist

“I have always wanted to paint, and I especially love painting portraits,” said Ruby Bickham of Franklinton. She has just finished painting a lovely portrait of her art teacher, Ann Warner, who is pictured in art class with one of her paintings in the background.

Ruby started taking classes in 2019, to stay busy after the tragic death of her son, Clint, in 2013. One of her friends had earlier lost a family member and advised her to find something to keep her busy.

The first portrait she painted was of Clint. She said painting him brought her some peace, as she relived time with him painting his dear face. Since then, she has painted several other family members, including her other son, James, and the two grandchildren, James II and Alyssa, who are in college.

Mostly a stay at home mom over the years raising her family, she has worked now and then at various things, including being a beautician, and has been a caretaker on numerous occasions. She is a member of Grace Missionary Baptist Church in Franklinton.

She said the art classes have been so wonderful as she has learned to paint with oils, and praised her teacher for all the instructions for painting portraits.

“Ann is just the best teacher and takes so much time getting us to understand the art of painting,” she said. “And it has helped me so much through this grieving process for my son.”

She encourages others who “need something to do” to think about taking painting lessons, as it brings a lot of pleasure.

Theron and Ruby will be two of the 30 artists who will have paintings to show at the Washington Art Association Art Show and Sale on Sunday, March 23 in Clifton from 2 to 5 p.m. at the home of Sara Nelson.