Artists find time to create during retirement

Retirement may mean the end of 40-hour work week, but for the 44 artists exhibiting their paintings, ceramics, rugs and more at Campbell House in Geneva, it has also heralded the beginning of a creative period in their lives.

The "Timeless VIII" exhibit, on display in the Campbell House gallery through Sunday, features the work of artists over the age of 60; it proves that life does not end with retirement.

Many of the artists started pursuing their creative endeavors after retiring, when they had time to focus on something other than work and raising children.

"The creative juices don't dry up," said rug hook artist Janice Rotramel, 61, of St. Charles, who is retired after 25 years of teaching history at Loyola University and Elgin Community College.

"I'm enjoying the time I have available that I didn't when I was working."

Make no mistake, Rotramel's creations are nothing like the latched-hook rugs you may have made in the 1970s. These are scenes created out of fabric, usually wool. One of the rugs has panels of complementary colors depicting a historic Massachusetts village. Another, created out of wool she dyed herself, is a tribute to the cornfield near her house.

This is the first time Rotramel has participate in the "Timeless" exhibit at Campbell House, but several of the other participants have displayed their work there for several years.

"The senior show is one of the most popular shows they have," said watercolor painter Don Patterson, 77, of Geneva, who has been retired for 10 years.

Patterson said he has created a little studio area in his house and tries to paint or sketch every day. He enjoyed painting and drawing in high school and occasionally over the years, but only since retiring has he really had the chance to spend time on it. He creates landscapes, paintings inspired by local scenery and other places across the country.

"It's something to do, and I enjoy it," said Patterson, who is also a member of the Batavia Artists Guild and has had work appear in several other local shows.

Sherrie McLaughlin, administrative assistant for the Campbell House and art gallery, which is part of the Kane County Events Center, said she has been impressed with the quality of work and the creativity of the senior artists exhibiting in the show each year.

It has become so popular that they now have to limit each artist to only two pieces. "Timeless VIII" has 88 pieces that include watercolor and oil painting, ceramics, silverpoint etchings, woodworking -- and Rotramel's rugs. Many of the pieces are for sale.

Some of the artists are a bit sheepish about bringing in their work for display. But they enjoy looking at everyone else's artwork, and it gives them confidence to participate in a show with their peers.

"We're not a professional commercial gallery. This gives the local people a chance to exhibit," McLaughlin said.

Herb Siebert, 83, of Batavia has been retired from his career in sales since 1994 and decided to take up watercolor painting about five years ago.

"I'd always kind of wanted to do it," he said. "There's a lot of learn about it."

A neighbor happened to be a painting instructor, so he signed up for the neighbor's class and has been painting every since. He has even turned part of the basement of his home into a painter's studio.

"You can't just sit around and watch the time go by," Siebert said.

If you go

What: Timeless VIII exhibit

Where: The Campbell House, which is part of the Kane County Events Center and is located near Elfstrom Stadium at Kirk Road and Cherry Lane about half way between Route 38 and Fabyan Parkway.

When: The gallery is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon and Sundays from noon to 3 p.m.

For more information: (630) 208-9567.