Long, teal brush strokes lead to wispy, white foam where dolphins and salmons swim. A rust-colored octopus sits on the sea floor as Moses holds his staff outright parting the waves into two sides.
The 16-feet-by-8-feet mural on the children's hall wall at Faith Lutheran Church is the product of several member-artists sharing their talents. Downstairs, these same artists have been sharing their gifts with others for seven years through Artists Helping Artists.
Each Monday afternoon, a handful of artists, novice and professional, carry in their canvases, supplies and bags of inspiration. It's a laissez-faire atmosphere: over lunch and painting they share ideas and interests. They critique each other and give encouragement.
The group formed after a pain management seminar in 2006, moving from an individual's studio basement to the church's hall, where they have a supply closet.
The church council liked the idea to offer its facility for such a therapeutic program, said organizer Caryl Collier. Art offers a mental escape for those dealing with chronic or painful conditions, she said. It also provides a social outlet for those who may not be able to get out much.
"Art is a form of relaxation; it takes you into another zone," Dunkel said. "Your imagination takes over; you become one with the artwork."
The Artists Helping Artists group is gearing up for its third show at the Missouri River Regional Library in January. The group is open to newcomers.
Sometimes they have guest artists or will watch educational videos. But most of the time, it's simply a dedicated time and place to do their art.
"We enjoy getting together, to try new things," Collier said. "We learn a lot."
Retired Russellville art teacher Roberta Dunkel has been coming to the weekly group for more than five years. Although she has her own home studio, the camaraderie and sharing of ideas is wonderful, Dunkel said.
Recently, she brought the forest floor with her for inspiration as she painted a fall watercolor of the chipmunk, which lives underneath her house, Dunkel said.
"When I'm focused on this chipmunk, his world - that's my world and I'm not thinking about my arthritis," she said.
At the next table, Faye Zumwalt used oils to paint an English flower garden scene. Beside her, Holly Joyce thumbed through her many photos of inspiration to get started on a new project.
"When you're home, you have 100 things to do," Joyce said. "Here, it doesn't matter what you do. The key is dedicated time."
And at another table, Gail Leivian brought a fresh canvas she had been waiting three months to use. Leivian said she had been away from the group for several months and was excited her schedule changed to allow her to return.
"This is my time to do my art and be with others who enjoy art," Leivian said. "This is totally awesome and relaxing."
The short-term, upstairs mural project has been fun for several of the members, using a different medium and painting side by side on the same project.
They followed a selected photo, but have each put their own spin on the final product. Jan Sonnenberg chose a darker color for the octopus, and Will Stalcup added to the sea life depictions.
"I enjoy painting; I do it in my dreams," Sonnenberg said. "This has been fun to do with a group of people working on different parts."
The Artists Helping Artists group does just that, Sonnenberg said.
"As we get older, you don't know what you can do of value to other people," she said. "I can paint a picture; it gives me a purpose in retirement."
A year ago, it was retirement that offered Stalcup the chance to take up painting.
"I promised myself I'd get back into it," he said. "I'm still exploring, so this has been interesting."
Call 230-1939 or email to [email protected] for more information.`º