Our Artists:

‘Everyone should try it’

Name: Cathi Rawley Age: Older than dirt (83) Town: Newport Art medium: acrylic paint Question: Have you always been interested in the arts?

Answer: Although I’ve always enjoyed art, I was too busy raising my children, working and my vocation playing the piano for choirs, theater groups and churches. During those years, my only art activity was illustrating my kids’ paper lunch sacks. But time went on, the kids grew up, I retired from most everything and now I have time on my hands.

Q: When did you start painting in earnest?

A: A few years ago, I made paintings for my family as Christmas gifts, and I was hooked.

Q: What inspires you? A: The subjects of my paintings are the things that I see; my grandson painting his first picture, my daughter’s dog jumping into Skookum Lake, or that giant sunflower growing in the alley behind Owens.

Q: Why painting? A: Painting has been interesting to me because it’s so similar to making music. Both skills immerse you completely into a special place. The love of art has nothing to do with your skillset. It’s interesting, frustrating and surprising and keeps the old brain working.

I don’t paint to make money, so I don’t enter shows or competitions.

I just love painting. Everyone should try it.

SOPHIA MATTICE-ALDOUS IS A MURROW NEWS FELLOW WORKING DIRECTLY WITH NEWSROOMS AT THE NEWPORT MINER AND RANGE MEDIA THROUGH A PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY. HER REPORTING IS AVAILABLE FOR USE VIA CREATIVE COMMONS WITH CREDIT.