Syracuse artist finds joy, satisfaction in her work

Barbara Glick of West Valley City drives all the way to Syracuse to take art lessons from Brontmire.

"She's just probably about the most imaginative artist I know," Glick said. "I've taken from some others, but she is so experimental her creativity and her willingness to try different mediums is extraordinary." Glick has been taking classes from Brontmire for a year and a half.

"When I started classes with her it's like it didn't take long at all before I had frameable art," Glick said. "She kind of pushes you toward recognizing and seeing yourself as an artist right away."

Right now Brontmire is teaching an open studio class for people who have done art before, but want help with specific pieces they are working on. She will start a new class session in January.

"It's funny to me because I have people say, 'Oh, well, I can't draw a stick figure,' " Brontmire said. "Anybody can do art, you just have to have the desire to do it. Attitude is 90 percent, talent is 10 percent."

Brontmire's next project is to draw illustrations for a children's book. Also, next June she wants to host a home show/fund-raiser featuring her art. Her work will be on display at the Syracuse Museum this month. On Saturday, the museum will have a reception from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. where Brontmire will do a mixed- media demonstration.

During the past decade Brontmire said she has learned a lot from art. She said that when she doesn't have time to create, she gets depressed.

"I just find a lot of joy in my art and it's part of my life," Brontmire said. "If I didn't do it anymore, a part of me would be gone."

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E-mail: nclemens@desnews.com