Thursday Night I peeked in at the Sphere Art Class led by Carolyn Daher Sphere’s beloved art teacher of many years and held at the Jesse Lee Methodist Church in Ridgefield. But it ended up not being a “peek’ at all as I stayed for two hours fascinated by the work of 25 SPHERE members who produced colorfully stunning images of the Roaring 20’s – a time of jazz, flappers, roadsters and all matter of deco design.
Carolyn began the evening by informing members that the first word in watercolor, the chosen medium for the night’s creations, is water. “So drip a little water for intense color, more water for lighter colors.” “If you want grey, sprinkle a bit of water into black.” Share your colors, wash your brushes before using another color, do not use large brushes. And stay within the lines (in order to achieve the astonishing stained glass effect that the later addition of thick black marker lines would add to complete the art deco Tiffany windows inspired motif.
A review of color mixes and a smattering of art history (well Van Gogh you know cut off his ear) alternated with questions as to what colors to use (you decide for yourselves) and reminders “don’t use too many colors” – all against the background sounds of Robin singing of “Think of me” from Phantom intermingled with jokes, gossip and giggles (a good bit emanating from the guys at the table in the back.)
The SPHERE members know how to listen and how to apply all of Carolyn’s teachings swiftly. Though they tease her and each other with good-natured bantering, they take her every word seriously. She has trained them well over many years and they applied themselves to their task with the best of attitudes. Hardly anyone moved out of their seats except to rinse brushes and get clean water. I was mesmerized by the intense concentration of each member with just the right dollop of chit chat and humor that goes along with that special atmosphere emerging from the camaraderie of contented workers intent on a shared goal.
By: Jill Edelman Barberie (Juliette’s Mom)