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Artist inspired by 85-years of memories
(by Kimberly Redmond - September 23, 2008)
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Staff Photos By Joe Camporeale
Louie Evangelou, 85, enjoys spending his Monday and Wednesday mornings painting at the Thomas J. Riley Center in Westwood. Evangelou has only been painting for eight years and was quite surprised to learn he had an artistic skill.
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Louie Evangelou, 85, sits behind a table strewn with art books, a few jars of oil paint, some brushes and a styrofoam cup of coffee. At the center of the table is a desktop easel displaying his latest work – a painting of a trout, which he is creating for one of the residents at the Thomas J. Riley Senior Center, in Westwood.
Evangelou didn’t spend his life as an artist. He spent many years working as a builder and as a waiter. About 20 years ago, Evangelou had a stroke that severely affected the use of one of his arms, and he now only has control over his right arm. Only eight years ago, following the amputation of his leg, did Evangelou pick up a paintbrush. “The doctor suggested I start painting”, he simply explains. Evangelou was quite surprised when he discovered his adeptness at capturing images from memory on a canvas.
The River Vale resident has been going to the Riley Senior Center every Monday and Wednesday ever since.
Marianne Wall, director of the Riley Center, has known Evangelou about 11 years. “Painting and sketching for Louie is very therapeutic and it gives him a sense of serenity. I think he’s at peace when he’s painting.” According to Wall, many doctors typically recommend for the elderly to participate in some form of artwork as it tends to exercise one’s memory and encourage a sense of mobility.
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Evangelou proudly displays some of his work he’s painted over the years at the Riley Center. Among his favorite subjects to paint are people and landscapes.
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His canvases hang on the wall in the room he occupies two mornings a week. These paintings include vivid landscapes, shiny fruit, colorful people and realistic flowers. “I paint anything. I like everything,” he explains. Although he doesn’t have a preferred subject, he tends to paint in a rather abstract style. Evangelou’s favorite artist is Vincent Van Gogh, whose painting style he often tries to emulate. He will often look at books containing images of the artist’s work.
“I think Van Gogh is almost like a teacher for Louie. He serves as his inspiration, “ said Wall.
“When I first started, people told me they liked it.” Said Evangelou. Often, he’ll create pieces for other residents.
Despite the praise of others, Evangelou dismisses his work as being good.
He picks up his paintbrush, smiles and says, “Give me 50 more years and I’ll be the best painter.”
Kimberly Redmond's e-mail address is redmondk@northjersey.com.
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