Brandon Twp.- With busy schedules, Martha Tooley realizes that some people never get to pursue things they like to do because of other commitments.
This is why the Edna Burton Senior Center program developer started the Artist Club a year-and-a-half ago.
‘For one day a week, people can come here and work on their art and have an hour or two for themselves for things they like to do, but never have the time for,? says Tooley. ‘The purpose of the group is for people to come and help each other, sharing their knowledge of art, and learning from each other.?
Members of the club bring their projects and supplies to the senior center at 10 a.m. on Mondays to work on their art, some of which include paintings and drawings created with colored pencils, pastels, acrylics, charcoal, watercolors and oil. The club is open to any art medium, however.
‘We welcome members using something we aren’t using so we can learn something new,? says Tooley. ‘Anyone in the community, any age, can come join us.?
The club has 10 members at varying level of skills, including beginner.
There is no fee attached to being a member and sometimes the senior center hires an instructor to teach technique.
Kathy Ashley, a Brandon resident, has been a member of the club for about a year and was instrumental in teaching watercolor art to other members, many who had tried it before, but didn’t like it, says Tooley, because it was too wet and they couldn’t control it.
?(The club) is a great place to get the encouragement we all need,? says Ashley, who has sold some of her watercolors. ‘Meeting keeps me plugging away. As with any skill, its practice, practice, practice that keeps us all improving… It certainly helps us get through the dismal, dark days of winter.?
For more information, call Tooley at (248) 627-6678. The Edna Burton Senior Center is located at 345 Ball St.