A current exhibit in the DVC library features a series of paintings by Walter Crew, a Bay Area artist and long-time DVC student.
     
Created in the past 10 years, the work includes Native American and Western cultural themes, animal and bird art and some acrylic, abstract collages and paintings.
       
The exhibit features bright colors in oil, acrylic, pastels and mixed media.
     
Crew began his art career in 1999, when he took a beginning watercolor painting class after a 25-year, non-art career.
     
From there, he took all of the art classes, leading to the advanced painting classes he currently attends. He is also belongs to three local art groups and shows his paintings throughout Contra Costa County..
     
In an e-mail interview, Crew said painting “relaxes and soothes” him.
     
“I love to paint,” he said. “I usually paint most every day, and it is, for sure, my therapy.”
     
Crew said he likes to explore different areas, like the use of collage and abstract elements. He is also a photographer, and his photos taken at the zoo or out walking are references for some of his paintings.
    
 DVC librarian Ruth Sison she selected Crew’s work for this library art exhibit. The ongoing exhibits rotate every few months. 
     
“It is my pleasure to have this show at this time of my life,” Crew wrote in his artist statement. “If not now – when?”
 

Contact Annie Sciacca at [email protected]