If you're a gardening enthusiast who also loves garden art along with poetry, you might want to check out a one-woman show by Ferndale's Barbara DeFreytas.
DeFreytas, a 69-year-old master gardener, lives on 30 acres in Ferndale. In eight years, she has gone from no painting experience to having her second one-woman show, "My Garden of Earthly Delights." Her watercolors and poetry will be on display through March at Robeks Healthy Eats, 3110 Woburn St., Suite 107, in Bellingham, with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 17.
Question: What has been your artistic path?
Answer: Art didn't enter the picture until I hit my 60s. I graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a double major in religion and speech/drama. I spent 10 years as a high school English and drama teacher in Skagit County, and then operated a bed-and-breakfast in Bellingham, the North Garden Inn, for 17 years with my husband, Frank, until we retired to Ferndale in 2004. Along with way I've learned to play the cello, paint and write poetry.
I had never been an artist until eight years ago, when my girlfriend Nora and I decided we wanted to do something new. I suggested a cooking or wine-tasting class and we looked at the Whatcom Community College bulletin.
"Get out your credit card - here we go!" I told her, when I saw a beginning watercolor class taught by Janet Hardin.
Q: So you decided good teachers could turn you into an artist?
A: Right. I remember looking at my first painting, a still life, and my reaction was, "Wow! This is really cool. I like doing this!" Then I attended classes by three more outstanding instructors: Harold Oltman, Caroline Buchanan and Meredith Moench.
Q: Are you a natural?
A: I don't consider myself a natural at all. I struggle to paint. My perspective sometimes leaves something to be desired, and so on. It's an ongoing learning process.
But I also realized this would give me an opportunity to display another interest I developed in retirement - poetry. I realized I could place a poem under each painting and make my shows a little different.
Q: Having been an English teacher, did poetry come more naturally for you?
A: I decided to keep in touch with a lifelong friend, Barbara Grudt of St. Paul (Minn.), through poetry. In a rash moment I sent her a poem, and I continued to write a short poem, sometimes a haiku, and sent one to her each day for a year. She was thrilled and I received great feedback. She's a strong grammarian.
Q: How did you find a place to showcase your art and poetry?
A: I joined a writing group and met Abbe Rolnick. She's the owner of Robeks Healthy Eats at Sehome Village and Barkley Village. I exhibited 22 paintings at the Sehome location two years ago and actually sold four of them. Now I'm back at the Barkley-area Robeks.
Q: Why are you so fond of painting gardening scenes?
A: I love gardening so much. I'm especially hoping gardeners will find my paintings interesting. I start with photos and paint from them. I keep the prices affordable. I'm more interested in getting my art and poetry out there than making money.
Q: Do you feel exhibiting art at businesses is a good option?
A: It really is. A lot of businesses seem willing to display artwork. My advice is, don't be shy if you want to put your work out there. Just ask. Try your hairdresser, your restaurant, really anywhere. But you need to ask!
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