Phyllis Nashen

Artist makes the most of each day

THE CANADIAN JEWISH NEWS

September 25, 1997

By ELAINE COHEN

The children are married and her husband, George, is retired but artist Phyllis Nashen, 69, still rises at 6:30 a.m. "I don't like sleeping late. It's a waste of time," says Nashen, who held an exhibition at the Fraser-Hickson Library last May. Three days a week, she shares her skills with members of the Golden Age Association. She teaches painting on fabric and other art forms. Nashen walks 30 minutes daily to keep in shape. Nashen's home, decorated in the art deco style, reflects her passion for vibrant hues. Moreover, the artist's stone and soft sculpture, water colours, oils, stained glass, decorative birdhouses, rocks and shells attest to her prowess and versatility.

"You see things differently when you paint. You look light and darkness, and the way a tree grows with an added perspective." She believes everyone possesses some talent. Nashen began dabbling in art as a teenager but her talent didn't surface until after she was married. "Now that I look back, I should have taken fine arts in college and sought out a career designing textiles," says the native Bostonian, who attended university in the United States.

"I've always loved working with colour." Her graduation gift was a trip to Montreal, where she met George Nashen. The garment manufacturer and his bride settled down and raised four sons, Stan, 45, Barry, 43, Jeffrey, 40, and Glenn, 35. Nashen treasures the years she spent raising her children. She also values the time she reserved to hone her proficiency in art. "When the boys were very young, I attended evening classes but once they were in school, I studied at the Saidye Bronfman Centre. It's wise to develop interests before retirement age and keep on learning. We can always learn something new."

Art is also on her agenda during Florida vacations. - Nashen is a member of the Everglades Watercolor Society. A proponent of workshops, she values the camaraderie and peer criticism. Seven years ago, the Nashens took up bridge. "It's nice to be with people and play bridge, but my watercolors come first," says Nashen.