Sedgebrook Resident In Running for National Art Prize
In October of this year, judges of the National Veterans Creative Arts Festival of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will choose a winning piece of art in Jackson, Mississippi. A charcoal-pastel portrait of Mahatma Gandhi will be among the nationally recognized candidates. Drawn by Al Brandwein, a resident of Sedgebrook senior living community in Lincolnshire and World War II veteran, this portrait is just one of many the 91-year-old has created. According to Brandwein, who didn't pursue portraiture with any consistency until he was about 80 years old, "This is the best one I've ever done."
Drawn to faces that have character, the former traveling salesman-cum-artist has portrayed both famous and not-so-famous individuals. "Since I've begun drawing, I'm very aware of people and their characteristics; I notice how they look, how they eat, how they chew…and if a portrait doesn't look exactly like the person I'm drawing, I throw it away," said Brandwein. "That's what I love about portraits-they either are or they aren't who they're supposed to be. It could be a subtle shadow on the tip of a nose that captures the essence of a face, but it has to be just right."
"Just right" is something the man (whose early dabblings in art amounted to cartoon drawings on his father's shirt cardboards and a sprawling grade school depiction of the entire Pilgrim procession on butcher paper) has gotten down pat. His renditions of Teddy Roosevelt, Golda Meir, and Mother Theresa, to name just a few, could be mistaken for photographs.
Moving to Sedgebrook with his wife Nancy three years ago from a Del Webb property in Huntley, Illinois, Brandwein started visiting the community's art room once a week after an art instructor came to give residents a lesson. His first creation at Sedgebrook was one of Jack Nicholson's terrifying Here's Johnny! face chopping away at a door in the film "The Shining." Since then, some 30+ portraits line the walls of his spacious apartment.
After winning the North Chicago VA's creative arts contest earlier this year, Brandwein was thrilled to learn that his Gandhi portrait would move on to the national competition. While he's not certain he will travel to Mississippi for the week-long festivities, the self-described "healthy and fortunate" senior is satisfied that his long-dormant artistic flair has not gone unnoticed. "I had a talent all those years ago, but no one really recognized or fostered it."
As for friends at Sedgebrook (residents who immediately latched on to the Brandweins and brought them into their circle), several have requested that Al render their portraits. He is on the verge of granting those requests, and he is also considering venturing into images in nature. "There is so much more to a leaf than lines and veins," said the father of two "perfect" sons, grandfather of five, and great-grandfather of one, with another on the way. "Since I've been drawing, I'm so much more aware of everything."
Sedgebrook is a Life Plan Community offering a diverse lifestyle, maintenance-free living and outstanding amenities. Five-star rated Radford Green Health Care and Rehabilitation is located on the 72-acre Sedgebrook campus in Lincolnshire, Illinois. Sedgebrook is a Senior Care Development, LLC affiliated community and managed by Life Care Services LLC. For additional information visit www.WelcomeToSedgebrook.com or call 847-901-3319.