2018.12.06 Throw Back Thursday

JIM HEFLEY NOTES

While I got my degree in engineering, I did try my hand at painting a few times during my 40 year career in business, but found it difficult to spend enough time to call it a hobby. However, when we retired to Asheville in my early 60’s, I discovered a small town with a wonderful atmosphere of music and art and now also craft beer. I decided to take several oil painting basic classes and discovered I really enjoyed it.

I am still enjoying my art career, although at a somewhat reduced activity level. And I really appreciate the support of my LRCHS classmates on our website in the past. Mary Lou suggested I post a few of my paintings for you all to enjoy, so here goes.

The first painting attached is one I recently finished. I am a supporter of the forestry program to restore the American Chestnut hybrid to the Appalachian Mountains, and I love painting old barns. So this oil painting combines to the two into a landscape “American Chestnut and Barn”.

We have been fortunate to travel to Europe quite a bit and so I frequently paint landscapes set in Tuscany and Provence. The second oil painting “Provence Village” was inspired by the village scenes I saw there. And the bougainvillea certainly is the star of the painting.

I also recently completed the third painting, only the second one I have done of scenes in Venice. With most of landscapes I try to design the composition so that there is an element of mystery for the viewer, and in Venice the meandering canals between the historic buildings seems to imply “what is around the corner?”.

Several of our LRCHS classmates own some of my paintings and prints. The fourth painting was done as a commission for our classmate Iris Johnson McMahon and her husband Terry. It was challenging and fun to work with them to choose ONE scene from the hundreds of photos they took on their 7 year sailing adventure around the world. In the end, this beautiful sunrise in Bora Bora was our mutual choice.

Once again, I thank Mary Lou and all of you for your interest in my artistic journey.

Jim (Jimmy) Hefley

CLASS NEWS

Bucky (Polk) Thomas is coming along very well after her second knee replacement surgery.  She's busy going to physical therapy three times a week.

Herbie Wright just got out of the hospital after surgery for appendicitis.  He's had it rough the last few months, but hopefully it will be smooth sailing for the rest of this year and next!  He's got a great nurse in Connie!

Jack Sanders' latest update from Sara:  "Jack is home and on Hospice, weak but not much pain even though the cancer is now in the liver and bone."

Barbara (May) Boyd's husband, Jan, could use your thoughts and prayers.  He recently had a 4-way bypass.  The doctors said normally for an 81-year-old they wouldn't even do this surgery, but he was in such good shape, they decided to go ahead.  He's doing well.  Jan is such a help to us at all of our Class parties.

'56 GIRLS CHRISTMAS POT LUCK is NEXT MONDAY, DECEMBER 10, 12:30p at Mary Lou (Hosack) Billingsley's, 55 Aberdeen Drive.  PLEASE come!!!  If you need directions just let me know.  

'56 GUYS CHRISTMAS LUNCH FOR EVERYONE - THURSDAY, DECEMBER 20, 11:00, FRANKE'S on Rodney Parham.  Let Syd Orton know if you can attend.