Exhibit captures 'Simple Life'

Kiki Sembos was not interested in being a painter when she picked up a brush at age 16. Now, more than 60 years later, the two-time self published author asserted, “I am not a painter, I am an author.”

But the Emerson native’s talent for the art could not be denied in her latest exhibit “Simple Life,” currently on display in the Reference Room. An artists’ reception was held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Feb. 9, with a handful of Sembos’ relatives and fans in attendance.

 “Simple Life” demonstrates a rejection of the “high-tech” modern world for old simplicity, Sembos said.

The six-piece exhibit features “Country Window,” “Swamp,” “Berry Picking with Grandpa,” “Wash in the Wind,” “At the Sea Side,” and “Wash Day.” Library representatives said the titles “accurately describe the works themselves.”

The exhibit – including paintings of clean, white t-shirts billowing in the wind and a window framed by a flower box bursting with colorful blossoms – is meant to capture the “slow pace” most people forget to enjoy.

“I still live in the nineteenth century, and I like it there. I don’t even own a microwave,” Sembos said.

The pieces are also meant to provoke warm and upbeat thoughts and feelings.

“There is so much misery in the world. We are all looking for a little happiness; I wanted to deliver that,” Sembos explained, noting that even her books are light-hearted. “They’re comedies!”

Sembos published Aunt Rosa’s Wedding in 2008; a sequel of the same name followed in 2010.

The oil painter, who also works with pastels, has never studied art or taken a class. Her introduction to the craft was through her mechanic-by-day father, who enjoyed painting nature and animals. For her father, painting was cathartic; not something to be interrupted by lessons to a young student. So, Sembos watched and learned.

“One day I thought: ‘I can do that, and I will,” she said.

Sembos’ cousin, painter Fran Kasterones, also encouraged her to take up the craft.

“It runs in the family,” she said of her artistic relatives.

Information Services Librarian Gabriella Radujko asked Sembos to exhibit her work at the library after she discovered the artist researching some of the images in her paintings at the library. She said she was excited when Sembos agreed to put her work on display.

Library Director John J. Trause said he was happy to have Sembos’ work at the library.

“Simple Life” is Sembos’ second exhibit. Five years ago, she debuted “Sunny Windows,” a small collection of oil paintings and a few copies of Pierre-Auguste Renoir paintings at Fort Lee Public Library.

Though Sembos enjoys copying Renoir paintings from time-to-time, her original works are not influenced by others.

“It’s all mine, so I don’t blame anyone,” she said to her critics, if there are any.