Westville welcomes winning works

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October 19, 2007

BY ALLYSON SAAD The Commercial-News Fri Oct 19, 2007, 10:35 AM CDT

Two award-winning painters are featured at the Westville Public Library this month.

Roberta Carlton has been a Vermilion County resident for more than 50 years. Debbie Stimac, born and raised in Rossville, currently resides in Georgetown.

Both artists have known since they were grade-schoolers they wanted to be artists, and continue that pursuit despite other demands or health issues. In addition, they both are actively involved in CrossRoads Christian Church of Danville.

Carlton, who has taken some formal art classes through the University of Illinois Extension Unit and other workshops, has been an active member of the Danville Art League since 1978. She sells pieces once in a while, and although she works both in oil and watercolor she mostly enjoys watercolor.

“I sell enough to keep me in business. Currently, I have four pieces in the Alley Gallery in downtown Danville, two watercolors, a pencil sketch and an oil,” she said.

On display at the library are two of her winning pieces.

A photograph one of the church members took on a missionary trip to that country inspired the one depicting a village in the Dominican Republic.

It won best of show at the state level after winning at the Town and Country local amateur art show. The painting of her husband’s combine, titled “In the Morgue,” placed Best in Show locally.

Stimac not only paints but is certified to teach art as well. She has taught at Hobby Lobby in the past but now works out of her home, holding group classes once a month on Tuesdays and private lessons at various times. She also paints murals for both private and public buildings, including several at the CrossRoads Church.

“I’ve painted all my life. I consider it a gift from God. I really started seriously painting when my son went to Iraq, in order to occupy my mind,” she said.

Stimac continues to polish her technique at the School of Fine Arts in Oklahoma, where she learned to paint portraits. She returned there this month to learn more, especially working with acrylics.

Two of her paintings currently on display in Westville won awards at the Georgetown Fair this year.

“The Girls,” a painting of family members, won first place in the portraits category, and the painting of her new granddaughter Madison won fifth place in the miscellaneous category.

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