Library features artists’ work

By Eloise Weymouth
Special to the Tribune-Star

TERRE HAUTE May 26, 2007 08:01 pm

— “Outstanding!” and “A level above!” are comments that may be heard about the May Artist of the Month exhibit at the Vigo County Public Library. Peter Bruning, an internationally renowned artist and well-known figure on the Wabash Valley scene, and William Aitkin, another familiar face in this arena, are the honored guest artists. The library is at Seventh and Poplar streets.
Bruning is bringing two of his signature oil paintings. “Jamaicans at Dusk” shows a picturesque Jamaican scene where a small group of boaters are clustered around their boat gazing out over the sea. “Family Sitting at Honey Creek Mall at the Cinnabon” — his second choice — captures the ambience of a casual mall moment. He revealed that he frequently joins a friend at the mall to make small sketches of the unknowing shoppers, which he later uses in his paintings.
Bruning has studied in Paris and Switzerland; however, when he came to the United States in 1949, it was to be an instructor of languages at Indiana University in Bloomington. In 1956, he came to Terre Haute as associate professor of German and French at Indiana State Teachers College. Bruning credits a former instructor as being his inspiration. “He taught me a few things about art, ink drawings and blotting papers,” he said, “he encouraged me and was very helpful, especially about how to use action colors to help unify the color scheme.”
Bruning now works as a professional freelance artist, doing commercial work and teaching. In addition to his library display, his paintings are at Hulman Ventures and at Moench Hall on the Rose-Hulman campus. His workshops have been staged at the Swope Art Museum and Hobby Lobby, as well as in Illinois.
Aitkin, a watercolorist, brings a touch of fall in his first selection, “Parke County Lake.”
“This painting was of a place our family used to own just outside Bridgeton, a small, rural community north of Vigo County,” Bill explained. “I tried to capture the glow and reflection of the fall leaves on the water and I put my rowboat down in the corner. This was my getaway place, my safety valve.” He was honored with a second-place ribbon at the Wabash Valley Art Guild’s 2007 Spring Art Show for this piece.
“On Point” — Aitkin’s second choice — depicts a pair of hunting dogs in the field. The painting has a special meaning because the hunting dogs belonged to his friend.
Before he retired, Aitkin was a dentist. It was only after his retirement in 1992 that he replaced the toothbrushes with paint brushes. Virginia Irwin, an art instructor at the Senior Center, knew of his desire to paint and encouraged him to attend her classes. She helped nurture his talent into a skilled watercolorist. Bill continues to go to classes and now it is instructor Melody Miller who gives him pointers. When asked why it was 30 years between his painting of the Bridgeton Bridge and his current paintings, he explained he just didn’t have time when he was a dentist.
Aitkin conducted an exhibit at Rose-Hulman several years ago and plans to participate in the Terre Haute Street Fair this year and will have paintings at the Art at Deming Park in the fall. Currently he is working on a personal piece, a portrait of his great-granddaughters.
He admits to preferring landscapes, especially mountains, and is delighted to use photos from his own vacations as inspiration. Aitkin also makes grandfather clocks; however, he admitted, now it seems to be picture frames.
The Wabash Valley Art Guild meets monthly. More information can be found at the library or by phone at (812) 299-3910 or (812) 298-0995.