Eloise Weymouth Corner

From April 2007 issue of The Tribune-Star:
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Artists of the Month for April

By: Eloise Weymouth

Special to the Tribune-Star

      For the Artist of the Month exhibit the Wabash Valley Art Guild will honor two local women, Ethel Beach and Linda Lou Rogers. They are bringing two very individual painting styles to the Vigo County Public Library main branch at Poplar and Seventh Street in Terre Haute through the month of April.

      "Sisters" is the title of Ethel Beach�s first painting. This theme was selected because of a personal crisis her own family was experiencing. Painted at a time when her younger sister was battling cancer, Ethel poignantly strived to capture their mood. "I paint by mood," she revealed, "with all of the feelings behind it." Even though she has only had art lessons during her high school days, she has become accomplished in oil, graphite, and pastel as well as wood carving, which she particularly enjoys.

      "Kelly and Me", Ethel�s second painting, is based on a similar theme. "It recalls our talks and cries," she reminisces, "of her being with me and me with her." She remembers when, as a little girl, she was always doodling the human form. Her dad bought her a paint-by-number set at age 13, which she hated! Then she bought a canvas and, using the paints from the number set, she made her first real painting.

      "I was inspired by my dad," she mentioned with pride. "My dad was a deputy sheriff and he would bring home pads of paper and pencils, which somehow he would sharpen with a knife on the back of his thumb. After I made a drawing, he would take it to the office and hang it on the bulletin board." Under Mr. Laska�s instruction, the art teacher at Laboratory School, Ethel was selected for special honors, another noteworthy incident. She has been a 15 year member of the WVAG and over the years has taken two blue ribbons at the Spring Shows, and in 2006 won the ever popular People�s Choice Award. She displays locally, but her art, especially her portraits have been sold out-of-state.

      Her advice to young artists is: "If you feel it, just do it...do it from your heart. In your spare time is when you have your passion for doing your artwork." Ethel was born and raised in Terre Haute, except for when she moved to Danville, IL to learn the business of hair styling. Later she returned to Terre Haute, where she lives today, and continues to do hair styling, and her passion for art is left for her spare time. To contact Ethel, please call 812. 299.9336.

      Linda Lou Rogers, the second featured artist for April, brings "County Creek", an oil painting, which was completed this past summer. "The scene is of a creek in Pennsylvania where my dad used to take me fishing as a child," Linda Lou described. "Jungle Macaw", also an oil painting, is her second selection. "One of my art students asked me to paint a picture of a bird," she commented. "And after going through my photo references, I selected this colorful jungle bird, then I added some of my own little touches."

      Rogers told the interesting story of how she became interested in art. Several years ago, when her mother was a resident at Anthony Square, an artist would come there to teach art classes and Linda Lou, who had wanted to learn, was invited to attend. She signed up seven years ago and the rest is history. Her teacher, Jannie Fetter, pushed and nudged her to become a certified Bob Ross instructor. She says she laughed at the time, but that�s what she is today. Rogers offers lessons in wildlife painting at the Hobby Lobby in Terre Haute on the second Saturday of the month and at the Hobby Lobby in Danville, IL on the third Saturday. In addition she offers private instruction.

      Her favorite medium is oil. "Because," she says, "if I don�t like it, I can just scrape it off and start all over." She also mentioned that she likes the texture that can be produced with an oil painting. The subjects she specializes in are wildlife, landscapes and florals. Rogers is a new member of the WVAG and intends to compete in some local shows. After retirement Rogers plans are to teach full time. "I love my students and feed off of their energy. I receive much satisfaction and enjoyment just from teaching them," she remarked with enthusiasm. For more information about her classes or to contact Rogers, please call 812.232.6037.

      The Wabash Valley Art Guild meets monthly and is open to the public. For more information about the group, meetings, or the upcoming Spring Art Show, contact one of the co-presidents: Christine Knoblock at 812-299-3910 or Kelly Schwenk at 812-298-0995.