How to Paint -- An Interactive Demonstration on Monday Night

Nancy Howell returns to the West Roxbury Library to show and tell how it's done on Monday night.

When Nancy Howell returns to the West Roxbury Branch Library on Monday as the feature artist at the West Roxbury Art Association’s Fall Demonstration, she’ll not only show you how to bring a painting to life, she’ll also chat about it from 6-8 p.m. The former Dedham resident, and onetime president of the New England Watercolor Society, who now lives, paints, and teaches in Scituate, has become a popular guest on the Art Association’s schedule. She’s equally comfortable working in watercolors and acrylics, and does between 85 to 100 paintings a year, not counting what she paints in classes and demonstrations. Patch: You’ve been doing this for a long time. Do you still get a kick out of the annual demonstration here? Howell: Oh, yes. They …

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Patch Facts

5 Things You Need to Know Today: October 3

The new BCYF brochure is out for community centers, and a free West Roxbury Art Association tonight.

"Five Things You Need to Know Today" is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. Check back later for more, and let us know what you think of the five things in the comments section.

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Arts on the Rox

West Roxbury Artist Works with Students of All Ages

Sara Hamlen has been making art since she was a kid. Now she's sharing the creative wealth.

Sara Hamlen is wrapped up in the arts. If she’s not working in watercolor or pen and ink or maybe making a sketch, she’s likely taking some photos. If she’s not creating her own art, it’s a good bet she’s teaching others how to make their own. Hamlen grew up in Dedham, lived on the West Coast for a while, and has been a West Roxbury resident for the past decade, where she’s also a member of the West Roxbuy Art Association. She credits her parents for instilling a love of the arts in her. Q: What are your earliest memories of doing artistic things? Hamlen: My mom and dad were very encouraging about art and music. My mom had all these strategies for keeping us – me, my sister and my brother – busy during the summer. She would take us to the …

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