Merrily They Roll Along
By Carrie L. Fascia
Photography by Jim Bush.
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Larry Levite and Rita Auerbach
in a plein air session at Delaware Park. |
-Muriel Howard, president, Buffalo State College
Famed local watercolorist Rita Argen Auerbach recently took Buffalo Spree co-publisher Larry Levite under her wing for one day, helping him turn one of his loves—his motorcycle—into a work of art.
The painting lesson was geared toward the annual black-tie gala for the Burchfield-Penney Art Center. The plan was for Levite to paint his picture, which would then be auctioned off at the gala under the heading of “celebrity art.” All proceeds would go to the Burchfield.
“I can’t wait to see it,” I said, standing in his office the day before his big watercolor debut.
“Ha, neither can I,” he said with a grin.
Don’t let him fool you. After accepting this assignment, I learned that Levite has painted before. Granted, that was twenty-five years ago, but he was relatively confident, compared to others who have played “painter for the day” for the Burchfield galas— most recently Muriel Howard, president of Buffalo State College and Patrick Fagan, director of Shea’s, both of whom had never painted in their lives.
And though Levite was quick to point out, “I’ve only painted in oils and acrylics, never watercolor,” he added, “But I’m not nervous.”
With that, Levite joins the ranks of the “Celebrity Painters.” That’s what Auerbach dubs her philanthropic painting program which not only benefits the Burchfield but the Chautauqua Institute as well. Auerbach hand-picks her subjects, they paint, it’s auctioned, and the money goes to a worthy institution. It’s a creative fundraiser that Auerbach brainstormed into reality.
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Levite applies the first strokes of “Ducati Red.”
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Collection of Buffalo’s celebrity paintings has already begun. Of the six paintings now in existence (including Belfer’s and Levite’s), art collector Charles Rand Penney has snatched up three. He currently owns the works by Muriel Howard, Patrick Fagan and William Magavern. Penney himself was Auerbach’s first student. He painted the city skyline from the Erie Basin Marina.
Painting in the Park
After his session with Auerbach, I asked Larry Levite about the experience.
“The only thing I didn’t do was mix the colors,” Levite says. “I did everything else from the sketch to the last brushstroke.
“It was interesting—she obviously loves what she does. She has a good eye, she’s very patient,” Levite says of Auerbach. “It felt different to me, painting in watercolors. But then it also felt nice to create something again.”
Levite has only painted abstract acrylic and oil paintings, on a much larger scale than the painting he produced with Auerbach.
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Lauren Belfer’s painting of Buff Sem
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Auerbach agrees that painting in watercolor is more difficult and adds that the paintings she supervises must be believable interpretations.
“This isn’t abstract,” she says. “It is your interpretation, but it has to be believable; people have to be able to recognize what you’re showing them.”
After some consultation, Auerbach and Levite decided that he would paint his screaming red Ducati, but that a local element would be added by siting the bike in front of the picturesque Delaware Park Casino and Hoyt Lake. The Historical Society can be seen in the background.
“How long did it take you?” I asked. I thought that he would have been there all day, considering the detail on that bike. It was picture-perfect the day Levite and Auerbach sat down by the Delaware Casino—sunny and warm, just the type of day this Ducati is used to. I envisioned the Ducati gleaming in the sun as Levite pored over his painting, agonizing over every detail, carefully applying the paint.
“Not very long, three hours tops,” Levite said.
“I’m happy with it,” he added.
It remained to be seen how the painting would stand the test of the marketplace.
At the auction
Levite’s painting was destined for the Burchfield-Penney Art Center’s Gala and Auction 2001, the annual fund-raiser for the gallery. This year’s event was held at a downtown private club, and had a “City of Light” theme. Artists were asked to create three-dimensional items having to do with candle or electric power, such as chandeliers, wall sconces, candelabras, torchiers, and candleholders. City of Light author Lauren Belfer was the featured celebrity artist and had created a painting of her alma mater, Buffalo Seminary, for the gala. It was actually a departure from protocol for Levite’s painting to enter the live auction—normally, it would be in the silent auction—but Auerbach and others on the committee were so excited about the project, they insisted that it be included.
After a cocktail period, the silent auction, and a delicious dinner, at around 9:30 p.m. the live auction began, admirably conducted by Burchfield-Penney Executive Director Ted Pietrzak.
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Levite’s Ducati portrait
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“I feel bad if Larry really wanted it,” Penney said after the bidding was over. “The thing is, I have a full collection, except for my own painting. I’d like to keep them together.”
To the contrary, Levite was happy to see his painting enter such a distinguished collection. Will he continue his newly rediscovered artistic career?
“Maybe,” he says. “If I do, I don’t think it will be watercolor!”
Teacher and Students
“Are you ever surprised by what these celebrity painters can do?” I asked Auerbach while sitting in her Kenmore studio.
“Oh, gosh no,” she says. “Never. Everyone has this (artistic ability) in them, it’s just a matter of finding where it went to all these years. You either develop this or it gets pushed down inside you. And this is one of the main reasons I do this program — I know it can be done. I know all of these wonderfully creative people can do this, even if they think they can’t.”
Patrick Fagan, director of Shea’s Performing Arts Center was one of those “self-doubters.”
“Completing this project absolutely reaffirmed my belief that anyone can do what they set their mind to—you just have to try,” Fagan says.
Fagan opted for the student’s chair a couple years ago, because the Burchfield’s gala was being held on-stage at Shea’s.
“I thought it was only appropriate that someone from the theater get involved in the project, so I did it — and the experience was wonderful.”
Fagan admits he was a bit apprehensive at first.
“I painted a stone bridge, just off Rumsey Road,” Fagan says. “It was one of the hottest days of the year and there we were, outside painting. I was surprised that it only took about three hours total from sketch to finish— you’d think it would take all day. I was nervous of course at first, but as you see it coming together right before your eyes, you realize that you’re actually doing it.
“I had such a feeling of accomplishment afterward—seeing the finished product. Now I can see why people take painting classes or art classes for the fun if it. It is relaxing once you settle into it and lose your inhibitions about making a fool of yourself.... This experience truly reaffirms my belief that you can do anything — you just have to try.”
Much to his surprise, Fagan’s piece was auctioned at the gala for about $1,800.
Although Fagan is not an artist per se, he does dabble in furniture refinishing. Watercolor painting and staining furniture may be on the opposite ends of the artistic spectrum, but there are some fundamentals common between the two.
“You have to envision what it’s (the furniture piece) going to look like when you finish,” Fagan says. It’s not a quick or easy process. It takes some patience.”
“The essence of this project is to take those who claim to be ‘non-artists’ and show them that they are,” Auerbach says. “This projects does two things: it shows people that yes, it is possible, and it gives you an appreciation for the art educators and artists of the world because you really are an artist for the day. You experience the entire artistic process.”
It was that artistic process that so moved Buffalo State College President Muriel Howard, that she promised herself she would take a painting class after her experience as a celebrity painter.
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Charles Rand Penney with the
paintings by Patrick Fagan (top), Muriel Howard (middle), and William Magavern (bottom). |
Howard painted a landscape scene from the front porch of her home on Lincoln Parkway.
“I learned how to offer another side of myself,” Howard says. “I definitely have a greater appreciation for art and the artists themselves.
“Language cannot express what you’re able to do with a paintbrush. You can present a whole new idea or another perspective when you paint that you just can’t do with the written word. Art let’s you present a perspective that maybe you wouldn’t see if you’re just passing by,” Howard says.
“I think we take art so seriously because we only see the final product. We don’t know how the artist got there or what he/she did to get to the final product. If you know the process, know that mistakes can be made and fixed, you can relax about it. I know that those three hours I was painting, I was completely relaxed and thoroughly enjoyed it.”
Buffalo attorney William (Bill) Magavern whom Rita refers to as “Burchfield’s angel,” also took part in the project. Magavern is responsible for putting up $1 million for the Burchfield’s new space. Many of the Chautauqua Institute’s directors have also participated. Auerbach is the institute’s “resident artist” in the summer. Proceeds from Chautauqua’s project are put back into the institute.
Auerbach has herself been involved in several art projects to benefit the city, including Herd About Buffalo and the Roswell Park Cancer Institute’s Christmas card project.
“I’m so lucky to be able to participate in all of these things,” she adds.
And to think, she originally wanted to be an architect.
Famous Last Words
“What excites you?” Auerbach asks. “Capture that, and you can paint it. None of these celebrities are artists except for what they do professionally, what they have done all their lives. I believe anyone and everyone can create art.”
Auerbach’s simple motto — you can do it — governed her twenty years as an art teacher in the Clarence school district and continue to be her words to live by.
Carrie Fascia is Associate Editor of Buffalo Spree.
Spree Editor Elizabeth Licata contributed to this article.
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