FAIRBORN – The Fairborn Art Association (FAA) is a collection of local individuals who practice art and meet on a monthly basis. The group grants members the opportunity to showcase their pieces, view demonstrations and win prizes. Two of its members will showcase pieces of their bodies of work beginning in September.

Award-Winning Artists and FAA Members Sue Seitz and Tom Kinarney will have pieces of their work available for display at no cost 1-5 p.m. Sept. 6, and 1-4 p.m. each Sunday for the remainder of the month at the former Fairborn Central High School building, 221 N. Central St.

Kinarney is a former commercial artist, but has since retired. He is particularly proud of a creation within the display called “Moneybags” and describes it as a comical caricature piece. He enjoys interesting subjects, especially people, animals and those found in nature. In addition to being an FAA member, Kinarney teaches art classes within neighboring communities, including the Vandalia Senior Center, Fairborn Art Gallery and the Rosewood Art Center.

“There’s really no differentiation in the art mediums,” he said. “They’re all art mediums, except there’s different instruments you use. The art principals are all the same.”

Seitz is a student of Kinarney’s, and said she has always been interested in art, but truly dived into the trade in 1999 following the passing of her mother. She feels a sense of calmness as she puts her pieces together, and hopes viewers of the gallery feel the same as they walk the displays of her work.

“I think everyone has some kind of art within them, but I definetly feel that I can relate to the paper,” she said. “To me it’s a very spiritual thing and a lot of my pieces are too.”

She feels that she can see herself in some of the pieces she has created. She created an art piece that displayed Jesus upon completing meditation as she was battling breast cancer, and said it was a special creation as she drew what she saw right away. She is particularly proud of a firefighter piece she created in response to 9/11, and will have it on display within the show. She initially had 300 copies of the piece available, but now hangs on to two as some are displayed within schools and fire stations as a reminder of that day.

“I always feel like when I start to bring a picture alive on paper, it’s almost like it becomes you a little bit and you start seeing yourself through what you’re doing and how you’re feeling,” Seitz said. “I think sometimes for me, my art is what I see in my life. When you’re putting it on paper, it’s like watching a great movie but you’re the one in control. I am a very spiritual person, and I like that part of me being an artist because it’s an excellent bonus. I think a lot of people just draw, and if they tried to be more connected to what they were drawing, it would show through their work.”

Members of the FAA practice varying art mediums, including colored pencils, pastels, water color, pen and ink and photography. Yearly dues for seniors are $15; younger individuals must pay $20 to $25. Meetings take place on the first Tuesday of each month, with the exception to the months of July, August and sometimes January, and first include official club business before moving on to a demonstration of some kind. Each meeting, as well as the gallery itself, is located at the former Central High School building.

“It’s a good resource for anyone who is interested in any kind of art,” Kinarney said. “It (art) keeps me busy, for one thing. You get a lot of satisfaction out of being able to do something well.”

Seitz advises aspiring artists to start with graphite pencil and refrain from discouragement, and feels that there is something relaxing about drawing without any concern for the final product.

“Start with something simple that’s still alive so you can feel it on the paper,” she said. “Don’t get discouraged because you have to start somewhere, and if you enjoy art it’s like anything – people beat themselves up if they don’t have something perfect, but it’s also very relaxing to just sit down and draw … You’re just having fun.”

Photos submitted by Tom Kinarney “All used up” by Tom Kinarney
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2015/09/web1_All-Used-Up1.jpgPhotos submitted by Tom Kinarney “All used up” by Tom Kinarney

Piece created by Sue Seitz.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2015/09/web1_firefighter-copy.jpgPiece created by Sue Seitz.

Photos submitted by Sue Seitz Art by Sue Seitz.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2015/09/web1_girls-copy.jpgPhotos submitted by Sue Seitz Art by Sue Seitz.

“Great blue heron” by Tom Kinarney
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2015/09/web1_Great-Blue-Heron1.jpg“Great blue heron” by Tom Kinarney

“Moneybags” by Tom Kinarney
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2015/09/web1_Moneybags1.jpg“Moneybags” by Tom Kinarney

Artwork by Sue Seitz.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/49/2015/09/web1_santa1.jpgArtwork by Sue Seitz.

By Whitney Vickers

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Whitney Vickers can be reached by calling her directly at 937-502-4532.