By Keith Gamboa
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Irene Norris started painting in earnest when she and her husband Wilton moved to Henry Ford Village, and a paint box he had given her, years before, surfaced during the move.

“I thought maybe there will be an oil painting class at the community,” she says. “So I did not give away my paints but moved them to our new apartment.” Soon, she was a member of the fledgling creative arts studio that had been started for residents.

Even with no formal training, Norris has produced many paintings that now have a home with family members in Georgia and Indiana and grace the walls of her apartment home at Henry Ford Village.

“For the last four years, the Norris holiday cards have been made from a print of one of my paintings,” she says. “You can see that I have fun.”

Tribune: What do you paint?

Norris: “I often paint landscapes. However, I have also done seascapes, birds, flowers, and lighthouses.”

Tribune: Why do you paint?

Norris: “Painting is a pleasure. While I am at the easel, the cares of the day are forgotten, and time flies by.”

Tribune: Why do you use oils?

Norris: “Oil painting is a forgiving medium for it allows you to make improvements and correct mistakes. It’s a very satisfying medium for me.”

Tribune: What art activities are there on campus?

Norris: “We had a major event last fall—an Art Studio Open House! Every one of the 15 artists and the Village Framers exhibited many of their works, so we had a very good show. We hoped 50 people would come and see our work, and nearly 150 attended. We were thrilled!”