Westwood Seniors produce amazing watercolors

[ccfic caption-text format="plaintext"]

By Katrina Margolis
Hometown Weekly Reporter

Every Monday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m., a group of artists gathers together at the Westwood Council on Aging (COA). This group comprises the advanced watercolor class, though given the crowd’s rambunctiousness, one might never know that it’s made up entirely of seniors. This group is one of three different watercolor classes the COA offers – beginners meet on Tuesdays and Intermediate painters meet earlier on Mondays. While these two classes follow more of a typical class format, each member of the advanced class brings their independent projects and works together in the room.

The meets once a week. While most of the painters have had previous experience, some of them learned through the COA classes

The class meets once a week. While most of the painters have had previous experience, some of them learned through the COA classes

“My job is, well, the most important thing is to say, ‘You’re done!’ So they don’t overdo it,” Joan, the facilitator said. “And also to answer any questions that they have.”

The group has been meeting for the past few years and have developed quite a rapport among themselves. Each knows which chair belongs to whom, and who is going to be late. At one point, someone was jokingly chastised for taking Phoebe’s chair. “I’ll probably go to hell,” she responded. Everyone laughed knowingly – taking Phoebe’s chair is a local sin.

While most of the artists in the class have previous experience, one participant started her watercolor painting with the COA. “She’s been here three years and she’s doing amazing work. Just beautiful, beautiful stuff,” Joan said. Another artist, Richard, “claims that he hasn’t done work other than here, he’s really good.”

While most of the painters bring something to work from - mostly pictures, but they might also bring bouquets or objects - one artist paints from his mind. “This comes out of his head. He doesn’t look at anything, it just happens! Which is amazing,” Joan explained. The artist explained that he has been painting since he was a young kid, and he also attends oil painting classes.

In spite of the copious amounts of fun, the group does produce amazing work. Joan sat with one artist, helping her decide between different shades of green, and how exactly to make the focal point of her piece pop. “It’s too scary!” the artist proclaimed, in regards to how dark the color was.

While there may be a bit of fear involved, the artists are able to revel in it within the safe space they have created.

Westwood