I was introduced to hands-on involvement in painting in 2013, shortly after retiring from 44 years of public service at federal, state, and municipal levels.

Soon after retiring, I realized that the self-actualization that was a derivative of my former work-a-day world had dissipated. I needed something in my life that would rekindle the sense of accomplishment and community that were part and parcel of the workplace.

Long story short - my wife, Jill, informed her exercise buddy, Jaci Muzamel, of my situation, and Jaci offered that membership in RFA might be illuminating and uplifting for me.

Jaci proved to be spot on! I had always had an appreciation for art but never had put brush to canvas. So I joined RFA and found the organization to be a one-stop-shop for all things art.

I was able to attend RFA-sponsored workshops under the tutelage of artists such as Rhonda Egan, Scott Mattlin, and Marilyn Rose.

And it so happened that at the time of my initial membership Gini Crepps was both RFA President and owner of IQ Design, which afforded the premises for extended workshops as well as a gallery for exhibiting completed works.

Thus, I found involvement with RFA sparked new growth and renewed overall vigor.

My mediums of choice are acrylic paint and pastel. I prefer acrylic paint (over oil) because of its drying time and the relative ease with which brushes can be cleaned.

My involvement with pastels came via a friend's referral to Auburn artist Reif Erickson. Reif was a master pastel artist I studied under concurrently with my early involvement with RFA.

I appreciated the vibrancy achievable via the pastel medium as well as the speed with which works could be completed.

Mary Chris Hines

Mary Chris Hines is a mixed media artist residing in Auburn, California.

Living in this gorgeous Sierra foothills area has been an inspiration.

She has followed many artists on YouTube who constantly provide new ideas for her art.

She has a unique style and by combing papers, tissues, string, acrylic paint .

and whatever else she happens upon to make something.

She hopes that a piece might transport you, if only for a second, to another place and time ... either in memory or imagination.

facebook.com/mary.c.hines.7

Mary Chris is a member of Rocklin Fine Arts

Mary Chris Hines

Our favorite time is when we introduce our Member of the Month. For April/May we are delighted to showcase another of our couples!

How FUN that couples share a common interest in creating art! So, here are Ed and Sally Bostley...our Couple Members of the Month!

Ed and Sally Bostley met at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. They are both French horn players so spent a lot of time together in college.

They married the day before Sally graduated. Ed was already in the U.S. Coast Guard Band in New London, Connecticut where they made their first home.

When Ed was in grade school, he loved drawing and was always the one chosen to do blackboard scenes in his classroom.

By high school blackboard scenes were left behind for his interest in music.

He made music his career but when he retired as Professor of Music at California State University-San Bernardino, he began watercolor painting as a hobby and talked Sally into joining him.

Sally was the proverbial child who couldn't draw a straight line but loved music and playing French horn and taught music at nearly every level from grade one through university for thirty years.

When Ed retired, he persuaded her to join him for watercolor lessons and it's been a much-loved hobby ever since.

Their first art teacher was Arturo Escamilla.