Don and Mary Lou Cooper are giving the gift of art to a group of ladies at the senior apartments in Truckee.
Teaching art lessons at the senior center about four times a month over the past year, the Coopers have introduced a group of eight to 10 seniors to the world of watercolor painting. For many of the participants, these lessons are their first encounter with painting — and they’ve taken their newfound, therapeutic talent and run away with it.
‘It’s just our ethic to want to enrich the lives of our friends and people around us,’ said Don. ‘We can do something in the way of the arts.’
The art students displayed their work, which they had completed throughout the year, at an art show held at the senior center on Aug. 19. Their paintings were vibrant and colorful and represented an array of styles and subjects, from still life to abstract, from birds and butterflies to scenic landscapes.
A.J. Berry, 81, the oldest participant in the class, had 48 paintings on display.
‘It [painting] relaxes you,’ said Berry. ‘It gives you a peace. It’s a way of life that’s good to pursue.’
The art students completed most of their pieces by copying another work, but Berry painted one landscape from original inspiration. ‘The Hills Are Alive’ depicted a piece of property owned by her parents in the countryside, a place Berry has often visited throughout her life. Her watercolor was reminiscent of a springtime setting with a country road winding its way up rolling hills, and wildflowers bursting with color.
Berry said she had always been talented with crafts, but she had never painted with watercolor until the Coopers introduced her to the art. Now, Berry will often paint the night away.
‘They [the students] seem to relax,’ said Mary Lou. ‘[Painting] seems to relieve their stress. And they’re so thrilled to be creating something.’
Mary Lou, who is also the president of the North Tahoe Arts board (Don serves as treasurer), guided the students through painting various subjects, such as the sky, flowers and birds with a colorful background, rocks and trees, and abstracts.
‘She’s a wonderful teacher,’ said MaryAnn Shelton, another student in the art class, who was displaying her completed artwork at the show. ‘[The Coopers] have been just so gracious and willing to help.’
