Page 21 - Amarillo Senior Link Magazine Summer 2020- Online Magazine

teaching, and loves his students. If
I rented a space at Sunset Center
where I met an amazing array of
people who I am proud to now
call my friends. There is nothing
like the inspiration you get from
just being in the midst of people
creating art, and when it is all
under one roof, it is even better. living. One of Guido's mentors
When Ann organized the Amarillo
Art Institute, my interest was raised
to a new level. At AAI, classes of
all types were made available, and
I was eager to join in. I was asked
to join the AAI Board of Directors
where Ann also served, and I
learned a lot from her.
Ann displayed the art of some of
the very best world-renowned
artists in her gallery, and she was
able to bring some of them in to
teach at the Amarillo Art Institute.
What I learned about art from these
artists was priceless.
you are not familiar with Emin's
work, you must visit Amarillo Art
Institute and see him at work and
experience his art. He paints in
many mediums and styles, but I am
very impressed with some of the
work he has done in the style of the
Old Masters. Studying with Emin
is like going to Russia and studying
with the teachers who inspired
him.
Just three years ago, the Amarillo
art community lost a wonderful
philanthropist and artist. Ann
Crouch died, leaving a huge
void. After getting her will and
her wishes in order, the Crouch
Foundation was formed to make
sure that her dreams for Amarillo
art were kept alive. I was very
honored to be asked to serve on
The first workshop that I took was the Crouch Foundation Board
from German artist, Guido Frick. I of Directors. It has been time-
saw his work in Ann's gallery and consuming but well worth it when
knew that I wanted to study with you see all the plans for the future.
him. As I studied with Guido, I We will be breaking ground soon
realized I was also learning from on a huge renovation for Sunset
great artists who were no longer Center.
It is important to have something
was the great Russian artist, Sergei
Bongart (1918-1985). I felt like worthwhile to do in every stage of
I, too, was getting to learn from life and that we keep learning and
Bongart. growing. As I've gotten older, I
find I am still relying on the three
This is true of all artists. When you things that have always sustained
study with a certain artist, you are me. God, my family, and art have
getting the benefit of every artist been the constant reminders that
whom they have ever encountered. we do live in a wonderful world
But I am most inspired by an artist/ full of people we can learn from
instructor at Amarillo Art Institute, every day and at every age. Never
Russian artist, Emin Abassov. I stop looking for new interests or
have had the privilege to paint maybe revive an old interest. It
with Emin for the last 10 years. truly is "never too late".
Amarillo is fortunate to have an
artist like him. He loves art, loves
Amarillo Senior Link 21