Posted 11:43 pm Saturday, February 09, 2013
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Artist helps church decorate for children
By REBECCA HOEFFNER
rhoeffner@tylerpaper.com
Susan Sellars is painting 3,000 feet of animals two-by-two for a Noah’s Ark scene in the children’s department at Marvin United Methodist Church, and she’s taking her time doing it.
rhoeffner@tylerpaper.com
Susan Sellars is painting 3,000 feet of animals two-by-two for a Noah’s Ark scene in the children’s department at Marvin United Methodist Church, and she’s taking her time doing it.
“I’ve really gotten attached to the staff,” she said. “I will be sad when it’s finished. I like to chat with them as they come by.”
Mrs. Sellars, 50, has been painting in Tyler for more than 30 years, she said, and has a litany of work under her belt: murals in restaurants, churches, schools, homes and dance studios; custom furniture, faux finishes, custom clothing and sports equipment, custom metal work and commissioned paintings.
“Basically, anything a client wants,” she said.
She also owns Bless Your Art, a children’s art studio in Tyler.
A few years ago, Mrs. Sellars painted murals for the church on one wall in several of the children’s Sunday school rooms. Each room had themes, chosen by the church, depicting stories or ideas in specific verses, which are also painted on the murals.
“I’ve never been sure just how scary (Goliath) might be for the children,” she said with a laugh as she gestured to her painting of David and Goliath.
Mrs. Sellars has created art since she was 3 years old, she said.
“It’s a fun job,” she said.
Marvin’s children minister, Shannon Pogue, suggested Mrs. Sellars for the work after she commissioned her for herself.
The children who have class in the hallway where the scene is being painted range from infants to 5 years old, Mrs. Pogue said.
“All kids love animals,” she said. “As it’s progressing they notice the new animals. They get so excited and squeal and say what it is. They’re loving it.”
“Basically, anything a client wants,” she said.
She also owns Bless Your Art, a children’s art studio in Tyler.
A few years ago, Mrs. Sellars painted murals for the church on one wall in several of the children’s Sunday school rooms. Each room had themes, chosen by the church, depicting stories or ideas in specific verses, which are also painted on the murals.
“I’ve never been sure just how scary (Goliath) might be for the children,” she said with a laugh as she gestured to her painting of David and Goliath.
Mrs. Sellars has created art since she was 3 years old, she said.
“It’s a fun job,” she said.
Marvin’s children minister, Shannon Pogue, suggested Mrs. Sellars for the work after she commissioned her for herself.
The children who have class in the hallway where the scene is being painted range from infants to 5 years old, Mrs. Pogue said.
“All kids love animals,” she said. “As it’s progressing they notice the new animals. They get so excited and squeal and say what it is. They’re loving it.”
Mrs. Sellars chose latex and acrylic nontoxic, washable paint for its durability.
Animals marching toward the ark are already painted; the ark itself, the animals inside and Noah’s family will be completed at the end of the project.
“I have stacks of files on different animals,” she said. “Two of the staff members requested the peacocks and the sloths.”
So far, Mrs. Sellars estimated on Wednesday that she spent 30 hours on the project.
“It will be seen by a lot of people and hopefully bring joy to a lot of kids,” she said.
Animals marching toward the ark are already painted; the ark itself, the animals inside and Noah’s family will be completed at the end of the project.
“I have stacks of files on different animals,” she said. “Two of the staff members requested the peacocks and the sloths.”
So far, Mrs. Sellars estimated on Wednesday that she spent 30 hours on the project.
“It will be seen by a lot of people and hopefully bring joy to a lot of kids,” she said.
