Artwork created together

Almost every Friday morning, a group of Green River seniors meet in the craft room to paint, visit and work on other projects.

Last Friday was no different. Several ladies gathered to paint, color and talk at the Golden Hour Senior Center.

While others were painting, painting teacher Theresa Stark was showing them all the new artsy stuff she found.

One item she showed them, was a coloring book that resembled stained-glass when colored. She said she uses markers to color them, but colored pencils or paint would also work.

"It's the biggest craze that's hit the country," Stark said. "They're pretty cool. I've done enough to cover my bedroom window; and they look like stained glass."

Stark says this kind of project takes about half an hour to complete. Her tip was to take the piece of paper that resembles stained-glass and attach it to a clipboard. She said she also likes to put a white piece of paper behind it so it is easier to see.

This is not just a painting group, but a socialization group as well.

"We solve all of our problems here. We cry and we laugh," Stark said. "It's therapy day."

New students are always welcome, she said.

One student, Kathleen Thomas, showed the class her latest acrylic painting she made for her son. Thomas said at first her son, who is an archeologist, asked her to paint a desert scene.

Thomas did, but when she got it finished she decided to surprise him and make it look like it was the place for an archeological dig.

Thomas had her son send her photos of his dig site. She made her site to reflect the one her son was actually working on. This painting has taken Thomas many months to complete.

"My brushes have like a couple of hairs on them," she said.

She was also ready for more to join the painting group.

"We welcome anyone who wants to come. They don't need to have any experience," she said.

Thomas said they don't even need paint brushes or paint if they just want to swing by to check the class out. She said they are always willing to share with others. The visitor will have to buy a $4.50 canvas to paint on though.

"So, it's pretty cheap to join the group," she said.

The painting class meets every Friday at 9 a.m. in the GHSC's craft room.

Viola Espinoza paints bushes into her landscape scene before she decides where she wants to paint a barn.

This is the desert painting Kathleen Thomas has worked on for the past few months. Star photos by Stephanie Thompson