Artist Jay Sabatello displays Lady Mardi Gras
Linda Strauss-Lewis
Jay Sabatello, September’s Artist of the Month, says he always felt that he wanted to be artistic in some way, but didn’t believe he had any talent. Even so, fitting in art would have been a challenge for this busy, successful man. Jay spent 20 years in the army as both a pilot and intelligence officer. He flew both helicopters and fixed wing aircraft. This allowed him to travel the world and to live in several faraway locations, including Germany, Korea and Vietnam.
Jay and his delightful wife, Mary, hail from Riverside, California, but when Jay retired in 2004, they moved to Anacortes, Washington, where Jay finally got to explore his artistic side. He and Mary said, “Had we heard of PebbleCreek when we retired, we’d have moved directly here; we love it so much!”
In Anacortes in early 2010, Jay took classes in watercolor and later, in acrylics. Abstract acrylic artist, Ann Martin McCool, taught him how to layer acrylics. (Hmmm, perhaps Jay will teach us how to do that – hint, hint!) Another “fantastic teacher,” Dee Doyle, helped him to expand his ability in watercolor. Then, in 2011, shortly before moving to PebbleCreek, Jay had a one man show in Donatello’s Art Gallery and High End Gift Shop in Anacortes. Goes to show you what good teaching and a willing student can accomplish, doesn’t it?
He told me that an unusual juxtaposition of shapes and colors attract him most, more than subject matter. For example, the eyes and asymmetrical details in Lady Mardi Gras, shown here, were the impetus for this beautiful, multi-media piece. “I’m still a learner,” says modest Jay. “I know that when I see the outstanding work being produced by our PebbleCreek artists.”
His media choices include graphite, charcoal, pastels, watercolors, acrylics and colored pencils. He says, “Colored pencils give me the most control over my expectations within a single piece, but watercolor and acrylics allow me a little more creative range.”
Besides showcasing several of his pieces in the Coyote Room window display throughout September, we’ll also be exhibiting his two favorite pieces in our clubhouses. Stop in to see Dream Tree near the Tuscany Falls Clubhouse entrance and Lady Mardi Gras at the Eagle’s Nest Clubhouse.
This indefatigable man enjoys reading, spending time with great friends, the PC Senior Softball League, pickleball and golf. Whew! He attributes his artistic growth here in PebbleCreek to colored pencil artist Marsha Lyons whom he says, “knows how to encourage further exploration” and to the “amazing” Sherri Van Schaick who taught him how to find expressive details in every piece on which he works. He’s also taken a few pastel classes and a wood carving class as well.
Jay, welcome to the pantheon of fascinating artists who call the PC Art Club their petri dish for learning and growing