Meet Irene Bausmith, PSAA's Artist of the Month for June

As a child, Irene Bausmith was scolded for always doodling, but come to the Pine Shores Art Association gallery in June and see what those doodles have become. There will be wonderful pictures in almost every medium -- oil, watercolor, pen and ink with watercolor, pencil, colored pencil, pastel, and gouache-- and the subject matter will show the same degree of diversity by this very talented artist.

Irene received a BA degree from the College of New Jersey where she majored in Education and minored in Fine Arts. For twenty-five years, Irene worked for NJ's Office of Information Technology and was directing a software development unit of 450 when she retired. She has generously shared the computer and people skills nurtured there in her service to Pine Shores as Assistant Gallery Director for 13 years. She has also served as Pine Shores Recording Secretary and Web Master, and is currently PSAA's Hospitality chair and co-chair of Education.

Irene's dormant artistic talent blossomed after her retirement. Irene credits PSAA's dedicated instructors for encouraging and teaching her over the past 15 years. During this time she has received innumerable ribbons and prizes from PSAA as well as first place awards in the Ocean County Senior Show. Her work has been featured in three newspapers and displayed locally in the Tuckerton Seaport, several banks, the LBI Foundation and Ocean County libraries, and in many private collections.

Irene continues to explore new avenues of creativity. In her June exhibition, there will be works of original poetry coordinated with several paintings. She draws her inspiration from within herself and from her many instructors at Pine Shore. Irene loves expanding her art horizons through experimentation and her show will include a number of her "firsts" in a wide variety of media. According to Irene, the show not only says a lot about her art and inspirations but also showcases the excellent instructors at Pine Shores, who have encouraged and guided her along the way.

Don't miss this artist's creative and colorful work. It will be on display at the Pine Shores Gallery at 94 Stafford Avenue, Manahawkin until June 28th. Public viewing hours are Sundays from 1 to 3 PM and Monday evenings from 7 to 9 PM. The public is also invited to attend the artist's reception on Saturday, June 11th from 2 to 4 PM.