Art for all

During the month of August, the Pendleton Watercolor League will display recent paintings at the North Tonawanda Public Library.

League Director Virginia Kelley, hopes to engage viewers by displaying art at different phases of completion and complexity, along with finished, polished pieces.

"I try to make the library show motivational and accessible to all ages. People have often expressed to me the desire to paint, so we hope this show will help them get started," said Kelley. "I tell them, while at the library, find a book of paintings by an artist you admire or a step-by-step tutorial, and just give it a try."

The themes for the show include paintings of activities close to many during the summer season: window boxes with colorful flowers, illustrated cookery techniques and recipes, and miniature bird houses done in the style of fine artists.

"We tried to imagine how a classical artist would paint a wooden bird house and the results were astounding," says Kelley.

These whimsical little houses in the style of Van Gogh, Grant Wood, Monet and many others will be displayed in the floor cases and on potted trees. After the show closes, Sept. 1, many will be for sale to benefit the library by the Friends of the Library.

North Tonawanda Library is located between Nash and Payne avenues, at 505 Meadow Drive, North Tonawanda. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.