Friday, March 9, 2012

Thank You Ros...


Today was the memorial service for my friend and painting mentor Ros Farbush. Ros would have turned 84 next week and she was away painting for the winter where the weather is warmer, in Tucson, Arizona. She left us doing what she loved best: painting.
Fellow friend, painter, and blogger, Kelley MacDonald and I had the great opportunity (no, we MADE the opportunities, a lesson from Ros) to travel to Mexico and Holland to paint with Ros in addition to painting locally with her. Ros kept it real at all times, she was who she was, and maybe that's what we all loved best about her, except of course, for her beautiful, unique paintings. When you are confronted with a Farbush painting, there is no mistaking the painter, it's all hers.

Thank you also to Franny Andahazy at Oceanside 17 for hosting a gathering in Ros' memory with a beautiful collection of Ros' work, including some from her art school days. It was amazing and I'm glad that Franny will have Ros' work on display for a little while. Below are some of the paintings on display there.

A series of self portraits:


Below: The "Solidarity Streak Sisters," Kelley, me, and Val, all with our "Commemorative Ros streaks of color in our hair. Kelley had Magenta, Val a shade of Red, and me with Purple although not so evident in this photo.

Kelley pointing to a painting Ros was working on while we painted her one day.


Mrs. Blossom reading a lovely eulogy written by Kelley.


Thank you Ros. We love you and miss you but we are all grateful to have had you in our lives.

5 comments:

Camille LaRue Olsen said...

Thank you for sharing her paintings, she did some fantastic work. I'm crazy about the self portrait with the pink hair and aqua cheek, that is soooo great! I can see how she influenced you ladies. Inspiring to see the bond.

Camille LaRue Olsen said...

I am crazy about her self portrait with the cheeks being aqua and pink, soooo amazing. Your bond with her is very inspiring, I'm sure her spirit is looking on and feeling good about what you're doing.

Kelley Carey MacDonald said...

Nice, Paula. I would love to just spend time in her house now looking at all her work (except that green house that I wanted!!)
:)

Paula Villanova said...

Thanks Camille and Kelley. Camille, you would have LOVED her and loved painting with her as well...I see some of that spirit in your paintings. Love seeing your work. And Kelley, I know...I loved that painting too. Sigh...

Paula Villanova said...

Thanks Camille and Kelley. Camille, you would have LOVED her and loved painting with her as well...I see some of that spirit in your paintings. Love seeing your work. And Kelley, I know...I loved that painting too. Sigh...