Realism with style from several artists

After literally decades of absence from the visual arts, these two women have made a very strong return, Nancy Bindas and Sharon Brackett.

Sharon is a lifelong resident of this area, daughter of Charles and Mary Catherine Cecil. She was active in 4-H and the Madison County Fair earning several blue ribbons. After graduating from London and Ohio State she began a teaching career. She and her husband, Joe, raised two sons and now are blessed with daughter-in-laws and three grandchildren.

After retirement from teaching, she jumped back into the creative arts and started painting using family pictures, special vacations, and the land around her home turning simple photos into family icons of special memories in her life. Many of these important paintings are not for sale but she has agreed to share them with us for this show.

Nancy was born and raised in Barnesville, the daughter of Dr. Paul and Virginia Reeder. She attended Bowling Green State University and graduated from Elkhart University. She has been married to John for 52 years and they raised three children and now have nine wonderful grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

In the ’70s, she enjoyed the hobby of oil painting even earning a blue ribbon for one that she had entered at the Ohio State Fair, however, she soon realized that she didn’t have the time for both family and hobby.

A few years ago, she again chose to return to her passion for the arts and started creating some beautiful scenes and home paintings for her children. Her style is very realistic and reflects places and things around her. Like Sharon, her art is very personal.

Both Sharon and Nancy are members of the Friday morning painting class at the Madison County Senior Center, a very friendly group who enjoy doing all different types of art.

Sharon and Nancy will be exhibiting their art at the Madison County Chamber of Commerce, 730 Keny Blvd. in London. They will have a “meet the artists” reception from 3-5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 16.

Their art work will be on display for the months of September and October at the Chamber and can be viewed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, in the main conference room as long as other meetings are not scheduled.

You can call ahead to check for the time availability at (740) 852-2250.

Harry Croghan is an artist, photographer, writer and teacher. You can send comments to croghan@dragonbbs.com or call (740) 852-4906.