Veterans discuss art as therapy at new Porterville Art Association exhibit
The veterans art show, which opened Friday at the Porterville Art Association’s gallery at 151 N. Main Street, features a wide variety of exceptional artwork created by local veterans.
The majority of artwork is for sale, but there is also a wonderful gift shop where all kinds of items are available for holiday gift giving.
When asked about their artwork and crafts, the majority of veterans replied that they enjoy the whole process of creating a new art project.
Isauro Guillen, Jr. makes hand-tooled and painted leather wallets and ipad covers, and says he made tiny wooden carvings when he was younger. Leather work relaxes him and calms him down, and he says whatever happens at home, he can work on his leather projects and enjoy himself and stay busy even into the late morning hours.
“It’s my therapy,” he said. “If you think you have problems, get into art.”
The exhibit features beautiful silver and copper jewelry, as well as exceptional photographs on metal, spectacular oil paintings by Manuel Abad, and many other pieces of fine and folk art.
Bill Warner, who served in the Marines from 1950 to 1954,
is one of the oldest veterans who has his artwork in the show. He says he’s been away from war for over 63 years — a “hell of a long time” in his own words — feels no repercussions, and does art because he enjoys creating. Warner hand makes ‘Diddly bow’ musical instruments and humorous pieces of folk art. He wrote a poem and put it with “The Lonesome Beer Can,” a crushed flat beer can on the wall.
Victor Young, who was in the Air Force from 1962 to 1970, said he wished he’d stayed in the service. He enjoys woodworking, and created a bald eagle with wings outstretched and a brightly painted humorous wooden eagle to mount on a fence.
Young says his woodwork is more like a hobby than any special type of therapy. He started creating sculptures before he entered the service, and says the hobby relaxes him and takes the stress away.
Nat Briones was in Vietnam, and used his drawing as his own personal therapy while overseas. He drew portraits of other soldiers and talked to the “other guys while I worked. It was fun for me and whoever I was drawing.”
Briones had drawings and a marvelous pastel and ink of John Wayne in the show. After the war, Briones hitchhiked throughout the Western U.S., Canada, and Mexico and earned his way as a handyman.
“That was my therapy,” he says.
Karen Smith spoke about her first husband, who was in the Navy, and said he used photography to help with his post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) from three of his ships sinking.
Jerry L. Gemmel, who was in the Navy for over 20 years, has been all over the world, and is proud to have his ‘Yosemite Fire Fall’ painting in the Veteran’s art show. He started painting as therapy after his wife recently died, and enjoyed taking painting classes at the PAA.
Jerry Kirby, one of the hosts at the Veteran’s Art show, said the majority of veterans view their art as hobbies and enjoy their work.
Warner says he was astounded at all the talent on display.
All the veterans in the show were very enthusiastic, and appreciated the opportunity to show their work for no entry fee said Kirby.
“There is such a variety of art, from handmade jewelry to the handmade cedar kayak, photographs, paintings and sketches to wooden sculptures and driftwood art, it is just a wonderful show,” he said.
The veterans art show will be on display in the Porterville Art Association gallery through January 15.
For more information, call 559-784-4323 or https://www.facebook. com/portervilleartassociation.