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18 | Four Seasons Hemet Herald | May 2020 | The admiration I have always felt for paintings of the Old Masters brought me to studying art history at college. Later, when I wanted to learn more about the technical aspect of their work I learned about museum conservation. In 1983 I opened a painting conservation studio in Long Beach, and later in Laguna Beach, California and worked with private collectors and art dealers. The process of returning old masterpieces to their original condition, in particular, those that suffered neglect or damage, although rewarding, can be quite demanding. It requires a knowledge of materials used in different periods and locales, as well as knowing the unique painting techniques of individual artists. When recreating lost parts of paintings, a restorer has to emulate the original artist's style and disguise his intrusions so that they harmonize with the whole. In doing so, I learned things I could never have learned in any art school. What impressed me the most was the humility and honesty with which the Old Masters practiced their craft, together with the sound judgment and thorough preparation which they exercised when starting a new project. I have tried to apply what I learned from them to my own work and, perhaps, some of it shows. My paintings and sculptures can be seen in my blog: andrelohnert.blogspot.com; it also contains links to other Internet sites that feature my work. Creative Spotlight on Andre Lohnert A R T Group Royce Jerman offers "Painting Pals" Tuesdays from 10 am to 1 pm and "Beading Buddies," on Wednesdays from 10 am to 1 pm in The Lodge. Please sign up in the Arts & Crafts Room at The Lodge. Lois Stipp gives classes in "Drawing" on Mondays at 9:30 am and "Painting with Acrylics and Oils" on Thursdays at 9:30 am. Please sign up in the Arts & Crafts Room. Kathy Anderson offers instruction in "Making Greeting Cards". The dates are the second Friday of the month, 10 am to 12 pm and the fourth Thursday of the month from 1 to 3 pm. Kathy requests that you call her at (951) 599-4039 to sign up. There is a $14 fee which includes supplies. Virginia Melton is a guest instructor who will teach classes in "Watercolor" during the first three Thursdays of April starting at 2 pm. There is a fee and the sign-up sheet is in the Arts & Crafts Room. The Lodge Arts & Crafts Room is closed until further notice. Just in case: Check with your club contact to confirm meeting place, date, & time.