Saturday night wine and cheese gala to open ‘Diversity’ exhibit

BY SAJA HOFFPAUIR
LIFESTYLES EDITOR

This month at The Gallery, visitors will be treated to the work of two talented artists, Rosslyn Moore and Peggy LeBlanc.
The two local artists and old friends have teamed up for the June hanging of their show, “Diversity,” a name that reflects the vast difference in their painting styles.
The show will open Saturday night with a 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. wine and cheese gala. As always, the event is free and open to the public.
Moore, a registered nurse, was born and raised in Eunice and moved to Crowley when she got married in 1969. She started nursing career at the hospital here in Crowley (then the American Legion Hospital) before going to work for the state at the Office of Public Health in 1974. She retired in 2002.
For an artist as talented as Moore, it is remarkable that she did not start painting until 2008. After the deaths of several close family members, she found herself looking for something to fill her time, and a friend suggested that she try out Robert Baxter’s art lessons at The Gallery.
Moore, who recalls watching Bob Ross on television when she was a child, had never painted before, but says that from the first lesson, she was “hooked.” She continues to take lessons and enjoys the learning process when it comes to painting. She paints for the pure pleasure of it.
Although she has worked with oil paints in the past, Moore prefers working with acrylic paints because, she says, “they are more forgiving.” Drawing, she feels, is her biggest challenge, and she says that she always has to ask for input on perspective.
Moore is also quick to point out that art has broadened her social world, as well. As a member of the art community, she has met a wide variety of people and developed some good friendships that she otherwise would not have.
Moore has a total of 23 works in the show, all of which are in acrylics save one.
When asked to categorize her style of painting, Moore looks at LeBlanc and asks, “What’s my style, Peggy?” Neither of them seem to know, but Moore says she most enjoys painting landscapes and likes bright colors.
Moore believes that art is a necessary component of the world and something to which all people should have access. In particular, she believes that children should start viewing and creating art when they are very young, and her conviction in this regard can be seen in her having spearheaded the development of the Creative Youth of Acadia Parish program, which offers free art classes to all interested school-aged children in the parish.
When pressed regarding what she hopes for viewers of her work to take away from her show, she agrees that she would like for people to be challenged by her landscape paintings to look at the world around them from a different perspective — to pay attention to how shafts of sunlight slant through trees and how water bumps up against trees.
LeBlanc, who was born and raised in Crowley, now lives in Midland and has a variety of creative interests, including not just painting, but sewing and gardening as well.
LeBlanc also has the proud distinction of being one of the founding members of the Crowley Art Association.
She recalls that she used to draw a lot in school and, unlike Moore, always liked drawing. It was not until the late 1980’s, when she began taking lessons from local artist Marilyn Shingleton, that she learned to paint.
LeBlanc has been painting for over 30 years now. She paints for fun and still takes lessons at The Gallery from Baxter every once in a while.
Like Moore, LeBlanc prefers working with acrylics. In particular, for LeBlanc, who says she is a “messy painter,” and who also likes to do things quickly, she likes the speed with which acrylics dry. Accordingly, the approximately 30 pieces that comprise LeBlanc’s half of the show are done in acrylic paint.
As far as subject matter, LeBlanc’s work runs the gamut. She is, however, fond of flowers, and gallery-goers will see that in her work.
Additionally, LeBlanc will have one special item in the show - her “Cancer Ladies” quilt. The quilt reflects women’s struggles with cancer and commemorates those of her friends who have survived and those who have passed.
The Gallery is located at 222 N. Parkerson Ave. in Crowley. For more information call 783-3747.