Thursday, September 16, 1999

Practicing patience as an art form

David Adame/Caller-Times

Norma Codero de Twijnstra and (left) her student Carmen Lopez hold a repujado work.

   As students painstakingly labor over their artistic creations, art instructor Norma Cordero de Twijnstra offers some sage advice.
   Don't run, walk.
   It's not easy getting that singular message across to her class of eight. After all, her pupils aren't kindergartners. They have, in fact, lived enough of life that as grandmothers, they are now accustomed to giving, not needing, such rudimentary counsel.
   But in her class, de Twijnstra delights in turning the tables, and so that they might see the bigger picture, puts the reins on even the most eager of students anxious to see the product of their creative investment.
   "They all want to do it just perfect," says de Twijnstra, but perfect is not the goal, of art or life for that matter, she reminds them. "I tell them, no, don't run. Enjoy the moment, feel every single line you're working on. Stop your life and show some passion."
   Satisfaction, after all, should be savored during the creative process, not delayed until the artwork is complete. Do that, she says, and you learn not to gloss over the little moments of the present in anticipation of what has yet to be.
   Learning patience
   Although illustrating life's lessons through art was never de Twijnstra's intent, student Carmen R. Lopez says that what began as an impromptu art class six months ago has yielded interesting and, in some cases, life-altering developments for the women who meet twice a week at St. John's United Methodist Church. There, they gather to master a technique called repujado, an aluminum and copper art form that originated in Europe and was popularized in Mexico decades ago.
   In mastering the patience to learn the art technique, Lopez has seen her self-esteem soar. Her insomnia has disappeared and to her delight she finally has coped with a difficult transition. After years of serving on various social organization boards, Lopez struggled with her retirement from such endeavors. All that changed in art class.
   A purpose in life
   "Now I am embracing the next chapter," says Lopez.
   The change in Dulce Maurer's mother, Emma Gonzalez, was more profound. Persistent eye problems with dryness limited Gonzalez's activities, so much so, says Maurer, she feared her mother was slipping into a depression.
   At first, Gonzalez was hesitant, but finally agreed to give it a go. In just a few short months, her outlook changed dramatically, notes Maurer. "It's given her a purpose, a reason and she's blossoming. It's a phase of life she never expected to find."
   And once you find it, says de Twijnstra, "Don't run. Walk."
  
  
 

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