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Do you have the next Great American Novel, ala Dickens, in your head and want to get it written and read? Perhaps your literary leanings are toward a Shakespearian sonnet? Possibly you yearn to write more in the counterculture vein of Jack Kerouac. Perhaps you are inspired by the likes of Arthur Conan Doyle to write a detective story. Maybe a collection of essays that would do justice to Emerson or Thoreau is just right for you, or perhaps something in the creepy and spooky genre of Edgar Allan Poe. How about song lyrics, poetry, or even a full-length play? Will the world be enthralled by your autobiography? Or best of all, have you written something that shows your unique literary vision? If this piques your interest, or if you just want to hear what others have written, you are a perfect fit for the Sun Lakes Creative Writers club. We would love to have you share your work, be it a draft in progress or ready for publication. You will find a non-critical audience who would be happy to provide feedback and be inspired by your work. The Sun Lakes Creative Writers club meets in the Main Clubhouse Multipurpose Room from 1 to 3 pm the first Monday of each month, and from 3 to 5 pm in the same place the third Thursday of each month. We would love to have you drop by and take part in our discussions. | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | JULY 2023 | 37 Have you ever completed a painting that somehow, by the end, you just did not love? A full canvas, completely covered, and it just did not feel right? At our last meeting, the inspirational and talented Joe Oakes showed us how to completely change what we did not like into an image of sheer perfection. Joe brought a canvas which he had completely painted from edge to edge and turned it into something slightly similar in shape but completely different in color. It was almost magical to watch. Joe is truly inspirational with his brush. His landscapes are filled with bright, vibrant colors meant as a tribute to the natural land. With a full audience of inquisitive onlookers, Joe provided so much information, from brush care to paint processes from dark to light. For example, did you know that student-grade paints contain less pigment and therefore do not provide those bold colors needed to create an explosion on canvas. Did you know that soaking brushes in water causes damage to the wood part of the brush? A quick wash and dry is the best practice. Our May Mini Art Show winners were Joe Shaw in Third Place who presented us with his interpretation of an old building inspired by a mining town in Randsburg, California created in acrylics. Second Place was awarded to a photo taken by Carol Graham of an abandoned boat located near Malibu. First Place was presented to Don Foster who created a masterpiece. This image of a mountain forest in lush greens comes into focus just as one peers out of a sand and rock stone cave. July will not have any meeting for the Art League; however we hope to see you all on Aug. 13 at 2 pm at the South Clubhouse. We really hope you will all join us. If you or anyone you know is interested in any of our classes, events or meetings, please call Linda Graber (not to be confused with Linda Garner). ~ Claudia Ellis Art League Joe Oakes May Mini-show winners (L-R): First place, Don Foster; second place, Carol Graham; third place Joe Shaw