North Shore Volunteer Spotlight: Andrew Reeb

[[{“fid”:”8715″,”view_mode”:”default”,”fields”:{“format”:”default”,”field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]”:””,”field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]”:””},”type”:”media”,”attributes”:{“height”:366,”width”:652,”class”:”media-element file-default”},”link_text”:null}]]Andrew Reeb joined the North Shore studio in the fall of 2015. An experienced watercolorist, he quickly found his stride in our studio and has been joining us on Fridays ever since. We love having him around as he is a wonderful addition to our community. Last week, he sat down with artist Pam Robe so that we could learn more about him and his time with the Arts of Life. Pam: How did you hear about Arts of Life? Andrew: Well I heard about arts of life from someone that I play a Chinese board game with on Saturday nights…he works with the community that you are a part of. I asked him if he knew of any opportunities that specialize in art and he suggested that I call The Arts of Life….That’s how I heard about it.  Pam: Did you know any of the artists before you started volunteering?  Andrew:…No, my first meeting with them was when I took my tour. They have all the volunteers take the tour. I think Nikki was leading a tour. She showed me around and I was introduced to some of you. I think you were there that day. So, no I did not know anyone before hand.  Pam: What do you like about The Arts of Life? Andrew: Wow, there are so many things. I like the artists the most and working with so many types of people and personalities. I like how creative and determined the artists are. They have great creativity. Pam: What kind of work do you do when volunteering?   Andrew: When I work here, I am assigned a pod. A pod is a group of tables. Usually I am assigned to about two to three artists. What I specifically do is assist artists in coming up with ideas and providing some suggestions, not many though because everyone here is an artist. Sometimes I help them with a certain technique or sketch something next to them, or help them mix colors, and other things like that.   Pam: What do you like most about being a part of the studio? [[{“fid”:”8716″,”view_mode”:”default”,”fields”:{“format”:”default”,”field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]”:””,”field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]”:””},”type”:”media”,”attributes”:{“height”:366,”width”:652,”class”:”media-element file-default”},”link_text”:null}]]Andrew: This has so many different parts to it, but I will try and keep it brief. I like that there is so much freedom given to the artists, staff, and the volunteers to be creative and interact with one another and to get to know each other on a personal level. That is my short answer.  Pam: Are you an artist?  Andrew: Yes I am. I mostly work in water color, but I also like to do arts and crafts. I have done some ceramics, I’ve built some models. I usually work two dimensionally on a flat surface, but I also like to do some three dimensional things. I would like to do more sculpture.  Pam: Who’s your favorite famous artist? Andrew: The first name that comes to mind is probably Hanri Matisse, particularly the work that his work with cut-outs. I appreciate his bright colors abstract forms. Pam: What do you do when not at The Arts of Life?  Andrew: When I am not here, I spend my days volunteering. In the evenings I teach english as a second language at a community college. I teach reading, writing, and speaking to non-native speakers. I am also disabled myself and am not able to work. I have a cockatoo bird that keeps me very busy and I love to cook. I like to make a nice dinner in the evenings and sometimes on the weekends I get a bit elaborate and like to bake. I don’t like cleaning house. I would rather use my energy on artwork.  Pam: Ha..ha..me too. Thanks. [[{“fid”:”8717″,”view_mode”:”default”,”fields”:{“format”:”default”,”field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]”:””,”field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]”:””},”type”:”media”,”attributes”:{“height”:366,”width”:652,”class”:”media-element file-default”},”link_text”:null}]]

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