Alexander creates postcards; looks to begin teaching classes

If you happen to visit the Henryetta Senior Nutrition Center on Wednesday morning, perhaps you’ve noticed a person sitting at a table with brushes and paint working on various projects.

Susan Alexander is at the center each Wednesday beginning at 9 a.m. and is ready to share her painting skills with any of the seniors.

Alexander, a recent transplant to the area, has been interested in painting since the age of 13.

After graduation from high school and college, she went into teaching drafting at a school in Chicago, and as a single parent, and the challenges associated with it, she decided to choose another path.

Alexander made plans to move to Georgetown, S.C., and even applied for a job there. When she returned home, she learned that she hadn’t got the job.

However, not shortly after, Hurricane Hugo struck the coast, and if she had been there, …

would have lost everything. She credits a higher power with making things work out in that situation.

Alexander then moved west to Arizona, where she worked as a substitute teacher.

After retiring, she took TO the road in an RV she purchased.

“My plan was to travel and see all the grandkids,” Alexander said, “but it just didn’t work out that way.”

She volunteered as a camp host, which allowed her to have a site hook-up for free. While in California, she decided to start her artwork on a smaller scale and using water-color, in which she is self-taught.

Fast forward, she is now teaching art on Wednesdays at the senior center, but is looking forward to having classes at the Mystic Emporium soon.

This weekend, with the Cruise Knight event going on, Alexander will be posting information to gauge interest.

“I will probably teach one class for adults, and one for children, and in the meantime I will set up a spot at the Emporium to sell my artwork,” she said.

Alexander took a tour around Henryetta and snapped photos of points of interest that she wanted to paint. Those paintings, such as the Doughboy in front of the Henryetta Library, have been transferred to postcards for sale.

Alexander has put together a set of nine post =cards, with five of each print (45 cards total) in a decorative box, which will be for sale for $40, and are available at the Mystic Emporium in downtown Henryetta.

Alexander also has put together a collection of other works featuring flowers, animals and even fairies.

When she takes commissions for artwork, she also creates miniatures of the piece to include as a gift for the person.

“I have a commission right now, three paintings as a present to her niece on the East Coast… of three dogs,” Alexander said. The paintings are 11×17.

Alexander originally worked with oils with her paintings, but with children, that’s not always the best thing since it takes longer to dry.

Alexander is part of two art groups in Tulsa, and is possibly interested in getting a group started in the Henryetta area.

Look for Alexander this weekend at the Mystic Emporium for more information.