Artist and art instructor Claudia True and her many friends stand outside the Younger Gallery at opening night of their exhibit, “Claudia True and Friends: Under the Influence.” Photo by Terry Telford

Claudia True listens to her introduction at the April 9 opening of “Claudia True and Friends, Under the Influence” at the Younger Gallery. Photo by Terry Telford

“Kickin’ Chicken II” by Claudia True

“Labeled” by Barbara Reid

By Terry Telford

“Claudia True and Friends: Under the Influence,” currently on exhibit at the Younger Gallery, is a show about friendship and the influence that positive encouragement can have on one’s creativity.

The group show explores the irrefutable mark True has left on the creative community in Bakersfield, where she once lived. The show is comprised of work by True and her former students Betty Blair, Carol Helt, Rose Lester, Terri Murray, Linda Osburn, Joyce Paesano-Chapman, Barbara Reid, Chris Romanini, Cindy Stiles and Tracy Van Fossen.

Although a student and lover of art in her youth, True saw no opportunities to pursue art in the small Texas town where she lived. The distractions of ordinary life soon won out – family, a career as a geologist, the fast pace of the corporate world – yet she felt that something was missing.

Several years later, seeking relief from stress, she returned to the canvas as a student and rediscovered her gift for painting.

One of her most influential instructors was local artist Art Sherwyn, who   showed her how to “really loosen up.” From other teachers she learned that being mean, critical and negative were methods she did not find effective.

With her children grown and her passion for art rekindled, True took an early retirement in order to pursue art full-time.

She found that by taking many art and painting classes, she learned just as much about teaching as about the subject being taught. True began to use that knowledge, mixed with her cheerful, positive approach to life, in order to benefit other adults whose talent needed coaxing.

“Every teacher teaches what they know. I teach my style; I teach the techniques that I use myself. But I encourage you to take those and then make them your own,” True said.

True’s style is happy, up-beat, colorful and fun. Her strong palette produces thick, defined textures and unexpected hues in florals, still-lifes, animals and even food and drink.

Now living in Kansas, True’s visits to Bakersfield typically follow a two-fold agenda: She takes part in a small art festival in Paso Robles (True’s artwork is featured on wines from the Paso Robles region’s Graveyard Vineyards), and insructs a workshop for previous students each May.

This year, however, True traveled west early. She joined friends and former students at the April 9 opening of the Younger Gallery show.

It was a reunion of kindred souls.

“What Claudia taught me the most, was to be myself and to express what I wanted to express all along,” said Linda Osburn, whose varied subject matter and use of bold color is a trademark.

She said True was instrumental in giving her the confidence she needed to trust her own instincts. While other instructors took the brush out of her hand and told her what she was doing was wrong, True always had something positive to say about her work.

Artist Barbara Reid was one of True’s first students. Although she hadn’t painted since junior high school, she was hooked after taking one of True’s classes. She was nervous at first, but through True’s simple instruction, she found she loved painting.

Added Joyce Paesano-Chapman, “I can’t praise her skills and abilities enough as an instructor.”

Paesano-Chapman attends True’s annual spring workshop, and describes the small gathering as a wonderful time of art demonstrations, critique and artist interaction.

The artistry of each “friend” featured in the show has thrived on the foundation of True’s encouragement and caring instruction.

True says that while others have mentioned to her that she has built a nice legacy, she doesn’t think of her influence in those terms.

“It feels good that you can touch people’s lives and maybe give them something to get excited about. That’s what happened to me with art.”

“Claudia True and Friends: Under the Influence,” is on exhibit through May 24 at the Arts Council of Kern’s Younger Gallery, 1440 Truxtun Ave., Suite 105 (inside the Bank of America Building). For details, visit www.kernarts.org or all 661-324-9000.