Island artists thanked at third annual event
Saturday night the parking lot at Our Lady of Miraculous Medal Catholic Church was full as people streamed into the hall for the “Third Annual Artist’s Recognition Night.”
“We have so much talent on this little island and we just wanted to show it off,” event organizer Judy Hage said. “The turnout is great even though we had a few artists cancel because the flu is going around. We call this ‘A little bit of paint, a little bit of wine and a whole lot of fun.'”
Carol Sands is a local artist who draws in pencil.
“I didn’t know I could draw until after I retired in 2000,” Sands said. “I was a chemistry professor and had never drawn before I started in 2001. I always wanted to draw and would draw something, say, ‘This is garbage,’ and throw it away. This has become a real passion and I draw every day, It might be 15 minutes or maybe three hours, but I draw every day and for some reason am drawn to birds.”
“We come every year because there are some really excellent artists on the island,” Bridgette Hillary said. “I always buy something even if it’s something small. This time it’s one of Carol Sands bird drawings. I love the colors.”
Elaine Wilson has been living on Pine Island 7 or 8 years.
“I only started painting 5 years ago,” Wilson said. “My husband retired and loves to fish so we came from Illinois to Pine Island. I’ve always wanted to paint but didn’t think I could. I read everything I could find and was lucky to find a very good instructor back home in Illinois and a very good instructor down here at the Pine Island Art League.”
Wilson’s art “Blondie’s Orange Bucket” won first prize at the 2016 Pine Island Art Show.
“About 10 years ago we took a trip out west and were at the beach when this little girl ran by with her billowy shorts and an orange bucket,” Wilson said. “I snapped a picture and that was the inspiration for the painting that won first prize.”
“This is an open event designed to show the great talent we have on the island. There is no entry fee for the artist and it’s a great way for people to meet our local artists and enjoy their beautiful paintings,” Hage said. “Even though it’s early I see people walking around with their purchases.”