ALLEN KAZMERSKI

As I was approaching retirement, and would be gaining a considerable amount of free time, I made a list of some of the activities that I planned to pursue.

One activity on that list was to try out a painting class. I was fortunate to find a beginners art class with a skillful instructor by the name of Jeanne Perry. Based on her years of experience as a teacher, her passion for painting, a heavy dose of relaxing humor, and while both encouraging and critiquing, she builds enjoyment of, and confidence in, the art of painting. There I learned the basics of acrylic art painting.

I now enjoy my time spent at the easel.

There is a relaxation, a near meditative state, gained during a painting session where you get lost in the process, where you are in the flow of being completely engaged in creating. I encourage anyone who hasn’t tried a painting class to sign up! Especially if you have an eye for and appreciate detail. It could be very rewarding.

Here’s a story about the painted blue bottle.

While Geri and I were traveling in Spain, we had a wonderful evening dinner at a sidewalk cafe table in Madrid. I kept the bottle we had for that dinner.

Later, in Barcelona, we attended a traditional Flamenco dance show, and were awed by the grace, power and emotion displayed by the dancers.

The cobalt blue bottle and the painted Flamenco dancer provides a memory for those evenings.