JOYCE RUDOLPH
Descanso Gardens is captured in a rainbow of colors in Valery
Moorhead's piece "Descanso Haven," one in her cache of works
displayed at the Boddy House Gallery, tucked inside the La Canada
Flintridge oasis.
Prior to pressing her brush to the canvas, Moorhead snapped a
photograph of the scene -- a small structure, a bevy of flowers and
mountains stretching majestically across the background.
The oil painting has lots of greens, peaches and violets, the
artist said.
"The whole gardens are gorgeous," she said. "This spot struck me
because it represented the total beauty of the gardens, so I focused
in on one thing."
The wife of former area congressman Carlos Moorhead, Valery found
her niche in painting in 1983 when they were living in Washington,
D.C. She joined Washington Artworks, a group of congressional wives
who painted together weekly, led by Pat Mercer Hutchens.
"Hutchens told me first you have to learn the principles of art,
and then you must have a strong desire to want to do this and set
aside time and work very hard at it. It doesn't come overnight," she
said.
When her husband retired and they moved back to Glendale, Valery
began painting with a group organized by Margot Lennartz, curator of
the Boddy House Gallery. Members paint together and critique each
other's work.
A few years ago, Moorhead and several artists in her classes
exhibited at a gala for the YWCA of Glendale, to benefit the domestic
violence and Encore Plus programs. Her painting, "View from a Bridge,
Bassano del Grappa, Italy," was auctioned off for the benefit.
She enjoys exhibiting so close to home, she said, because it
allows her friends to see her work.
"They have commented on my use of bold colors and the skies I've
done," she said. "When I paint landscapes and nature, I feel I would
like to reflect God's glorious creation," she said.
Also exhibiting are Russell Hobbs, showing his pen-and-ink
drawings, and Jean Taylor and Rick Drobner, exhibiting ceramics.
The gallery is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and admission is free
with gardens' admission. This exhibit continues through Oct. 23.
Descanso Gardens is at 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge. The
gardens are open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Parking is free.
Admission fees are $6 for adults; $4 for seniors and students; $1.50
for children 5 to 12, and free for members and children 4 and
younger. For information call 949-4200.
SPECIAL EVENTS
SPOOKY CARS DISPLAY AT SHOW
The Road'ers Car Club will have its Halloween Cruise In car show
