By David Fleet
dfleet@mihomepaper.com
Goodrich— It’s been 45 years since Doris Phillips responded to a suggestion to paint an historic Goodrich landmark.
“I had completed a few murals on the walls of local businesses,” said Phillips, now an 87 years old Atlas Township resident whose live in the community for 50 years. “They asked me to paint a picture of the library, so I sat across the street and did a sketch. After a few changes I completed it.”
Earlier this year Phillips donated for permanent display an original watercolor of the century old building that once housed the Atlas Township Hall. Next month marks the 45th anniversary of the move to the current library. The event, back then, was marked by students from Reid Elementary School who participated in a “book parade” methodically one-by-one moved the books from the old library to the new.
Phillips, a life-long artist who still practices her craft, is a Lansing native, who earned a degree in speech therapy from Central Michigan University. She worked in the Flint School District for many years which included teaching countless youth along the way to cultivate their artistic abilities.
“I had some students that would take their Crayons out of the box and were ready to go when class started,” she said. “It was wonderful to see kids perk up. Still to some people art seems silly, they don’t give it a chance. But to me I see art in just about everything, even in a piece of junk.”
Growing up Phillips had older brothers that were very good artists.
“They would help me,” she said. “I have fun with art, If a project comes out good I’m happy, if not I just leave it for a day or two and try again.”
Phillips continues to dabble in a variety of artistic endeavors in addition to water colors. Whether wood carving, sketching or obscure pieces of art, keeping the creative ability sharp will continue.
“Art is everywhere to me,” she said.