After 38 years working as an educator, Jeanne Abbott revisited her love of painting following retirement in 2004 and will display her results for the first time with her “Books to Brushes” exhibit at Studio 2/Gallery 2 through June 30. A reception with the artist will be held Friday, June 11 from 5 to 7 p.m.
“It’s a very enjoyable hobby, but eventually you would like for it to be something other people will enjoy as well,” said Abbott of her decision to show her work. “Probably the hardest thing to do is to direct people into the painting and make it something that inspires them.”
During her time as a teacher of home economics and family living at Soddy-Daisy High School and a principal at Falling Water Elementary and North Hamilton County Elementary, Abbott said she didn’t pick up a paintbrush for 30 years.
“As a principal, you have to be rigid, orderly and organized,” she said. “I enjoyed my career immensely, but I always wanted to revive the love for art I had in high school.”
Abbott said she started taking classes at Chattanooga State after her retirement provided the time to do so, and was pleased to find her affinity for the hobby still remained.
“I’ve learned a lot,” she said of her class with Michael Holsomback. “I’ve improved because I’ve been determined to improve and have been painting more often.”
Many of her acrylic and oil paintings featured in the show were completed within the past two years, she said.
“I’m just exploring what I like to paint,” said Abbott. “The works mostly represent my travels and things I observe in nature.”
She said some paintings are countryside scenes of vineyards, poppies and homes from a trip to Tuscany, Italy to study art with plein air instructor Daniel Achieb.
Studio 2/Gallery 2 is at 27 W. Main St. and can be reached at 266-2222.