Sean C. Morgan
Elda Miller won the People’s Choice Award with her painting of a 1934 Roadster at the Grand Opening, Grand Art local art exhibit at City Hall.
The exhibit coincided with the grand opening of the new City Hall, 3225 Main St., on Aug. 23. Dozens of pieces are on display on the walls of the lobby, hallways, conference room and City Council chamber.
One award, the People’s Choice Award, was given, based on votes from members of the public on which was their favorite piece of two-dimensional art.
“I was surprised,” Miller said. “That was an honor.”
That’s particularly notable because “I know Don Ross” had paintings in the show, Miller added.
Miller said she entered three paintings, including a scene showing flamingos and another of a white pitcher, in the art show after receiving an email notifying her of it.
The car was inspired by a photo on a little calendar, Miller said. She changed the background and gave the image her own touch. She painted it about five years ago.
She said she painted the flamingos after seeing them at the San Diego Zoo, and with the white pitcher, “doing the lace (doily) was fun.”
Miller has painted a lot of flowers and horses as well, she said.
“I started about 55 years ago, oil paints and acrylics,” Miller said. Getting busy with work, “I laid it aside after three or four years.”
About 21 years ago, she left Salem to settle in Sweet Home.
“A couple friends and I got a workshop started at the Senior Center,” Miller said. The seniors worked in whatever media they preferred. In the past the workshop numbered about 15 members, but it’s dwindled a bit in recent years.
Sometimes, the group would have an instructor, but other than that, everyone simply helped each other out, she said. “I hang some of my paintings at the Senior Center.”
Since painting the car, she has moved on to other things, painting and making bird houses from gourds most recently from glass mosaics.
“It’s a satisfaction I get,” Miller said. “I like color. I don’t do this to sell, although I have sold a few paintings. It’s just a good feeling I get from doing it.”
The key to a good painting is shadows and highlights, Miller said. That’s what makes the paintings come to life and look real.
To learn how, people “can take all kinds of lessons,” she said. She is largely self-taught, she said, picking up techniques and information anywhere she could. She said she was inspired by Bill Alexander, and she took classes from one of his students, Robert Warren.
She used to watch painters on TV and wherever she could, Miller said.
Looking around the art show, Miller said one of her personal favorites is “When it Rains” by Sonya Badgely.
“There’s something about it, the way they combine the color,” Miller said, and the “1920s look.” She also likes a mixed media piece, “Time Gone By,” by Selena Fogel.
The current show ends in December. The SHOCASE Public Arts Committee will begin a Student Show next, with art by Sweet Home School District students. In the spring, it will highlight local quilts.
For more information about upcoming shows, visit artinsweethome.org.