When it comes to retirement most people take up a hobby such as golf, bridge, and painting. Oh, and let’s not forget moving to Florida.
For Springfield Township resident Jean Cavalier, retirement means all of these things and more.
While growing up Cavalier said she had always had a love for art and took every art class available to her. She started painting watercolor in 1995, but really didn’t focus on it until after retiring after 35 years in real estate, 10 of those at downtown Clarkston’s Morgan & Milzow Realtors.
‘I’ve always had an interest for drawing and painting,? she said.
Her favorite things about painting are the relaxation, beauty, and surprises.
‘You put the paint on the paper and sometimes it just surprises you by doing neat things that you didn’t expect,? she said.
Cavalier said because she was in real estate and worked in downtown Clarkston she enjoys painting many of the downtown buildings. She created a ‘Main Street Series? of paintings which include both buildings, items and houses such as the Clarkston State Bank, clock, Union, Clarkston News, Rudy’s Market, Morgan & Milzow, Boothby house, Lynn house, Kacy’s Law Firm, Kostin Law Office, Morgan’s Service Station, and the gazebo in Depot Park. She has also painted ‘Main Street Scenes? both winter and summer.
Cavalier said she takes pictures first with her camera and then paints the picture.
‘Usually I pick a Sunday morning when it’s not very busy so I can get buildings without cars parked in front.?
Not only does Cavalier do buildings, but she does people, race horses, and gardens. ‘I do it all,? she said.
She also does portraits of houses by commission in the Clarkston area.
‘I paint the houses and then I make note cards of their homes from the painting,? she said.
Cavalier and her husband are ‘snow birds,? spending half the year in Michigan and the other in Florida. Cavalier does most of her painting while in Florida.
‘I have more time there than here. I’m busy at the bridge table and the golf course here,? she said. ‘Here we have walk in bridge and I can play bridge four times a week.?
She also is a part of an ‘art league? in Florida, something Clarkston needs, she said.
‘I have nobody to paint with here. An art league is needed badly in Clarkston, there is nothing for the artists here,? she said. ‘Networking with other artists and painting with the other artist. It is a wonderful experience I wish we had it up here.?
Cavalier has been selected for many jury shows including the Fort Meyers Art Association down in Florida. She has also won numerous awards of different rankings including two blue ribbons at the Michigan State Fair. She has been a part of Clarkston’s Art in the Park, She was also one of the artists in the garden for Clarkston’s garden walk this year, and she is one of the original venders at the Farmers Market, selling her art.
‘So it’s not just vegetables at the farmers market,? said Cavalier with a smile.
Cavalier was originally born in Midland and came to Clarkston in the 1960’s. She has been married to her husband Jack for 25 years, has two sons, Russ and Jeff Beaudoen, and an 11-year-old grandson, Mannion.
‘He paints with grandma and we play golf together,? she said.
Cavalier’s work is featured on the cover and the pages of this year’s Clarkston’s Farmers Market Cookbook. Cavalier’s painted greeting cards can be purchased at Rudy’s Market and the Artful Framework on Sashawbaw Road.