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| Barn at Tao House by Chuck Dorsett |
As each session ends, my watercolor group shows the work they have done during the 8-week period. Many of the people return session after session while they try to better grasp techniques of watercolor painting. This last fall during the class reveal, I looked at a remarkable leap in progress for everyone in the class. The class, taught by Leslie Wilson and run by the Walnut Community Arts Department, is so popular that on registration day at 9 A.M. I sit at my computer ready to press the button to register. If I wait 5 minutes, all 20 places for Wednesday are gone.
On the critique day at the end of each session, I've noticed that Chuck Dorsett, who is over 90 years old and a longtime member of the class, makes a point of talking about being in the class. He stresses how important it is to be out in the community and to try new things. We've grown to expect these pieces of advice from Chuck. I realized last time though, his words are more than advice. It is his way of saying goodbye at the end of each session, hoping to leave some imprint of himself on us, if he doesn't return to class.
Chuck is a former architect and actor who belonged to the Screen Actors Guild. Because of his architectural training, he knows how to draw, to use perspective so that buildings look structurally correct in their environment. The pencil underdrawings he does before he paints make his final paintings fresh and believable. A good example of his work is the barn at Tao House, part of Eugene O'Neill's ranch in Danville. Chuck says about our watercolor class, "It's important to remember that this is really a drawing class."
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Chuck Dorsett passed away early this Spring. His class mates all miss him, but remember his thoughtful words of encouragement and his joyful paintings.
From Mary by email: What a beautiful tribute, and his work is noteworthy.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary. It's good to remember to appreciate friends while they are here.
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